Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani is questioning the suitability of newly appointed minister of industries, mines and energy Modestus Amutse.
Venaani has described Amutse as too inexperienced for one of the country’s most important portfolios.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah yesterday appointed Amutse, a former regional councillor and reporter, as new minister of industry, mines and energy. He replaces former minister Natangwe Ithete.
Venaani yesterday said while Cabinet appointments are the president’s prerogative, her choice of Amutse raises concerns about capacity in a sector central to national revenue and economic growth.
“It is the prerogative of the president to appoint whomever she feels confident to work with, but Amutse is not a highly experienced politician,” Venaani said.
“If we truly want to develop this into a high-value industry, we have people like Tobie Aupindi and Iipumbu Shiimi – people who can run that ministry from day one,” he said.
Venaani said instead of prioritising competence, the president opted for political alignment.
“Amutse will now go and learn about the ministry, learn the ropes of running an institution of that magnitude.
I wish him well, but he is not the most experienced person to lead such a solid ministry,” he said.
“With all the shenanigans surrounding that ministry, I know Amutse is too new, too inexperienced. Nobody is born with experience, and maybe he will grow into the role.
“There are better people who could have run that ministry. She chose allegiance over competency.”
Former prime minister Nahas Angula also weighed in, saying the president is operating within “a very confined environment” in selecting Cabinet members.
Angula, who previously worked with Amutse in the media fraternity, said the portfolio demands a minister who is alert and deeply knowledgeable about the complexity of the extractive sector.
“I know honourable Modestus Amutse as a newsman like you. That ministry is very complicated.
You deal with people applying for exclusive prospecting licences, mining licences.
It requires someone who can defend the interests of the country against those masquerading as mining companies,” he said.
He urged Amutse to take the responsibility seriously and avoid the pitfalls that have previously plagued the ministry.
“These young people are put in difficult situations and they don’t sit down to understand what is going on.
They get briefings from officials – and officials have their own interests. Things happen, and ministers bear fiduciary responsibility,” Angula said.
“My advice to him is: Learn about the industry and understand it.
If you cannot understand it, get an adviser who can guide you on how mining, energy and oil industries work so that you can benefit the country.
“Otherwise, it will be a cycle of appointments and dismissals.”
Amutse declined to respond directly to Venaani’s comments yesterday.
However, he said he would maintain an open-door policy and was willing to take advice from all Namibians, including members of the public.
“I have served in various portfolios and I have never failed. The ministry I am going to lead has experienced staff members, and I will work together with them,” he said.
