NAMIBIA Defence Force soldiers going absent without leave (AWOL) cost Government N$1,6 million during 2003-04.
Collectively, 433 soldiers were absent from duty for 13 793 days – an average of about a month each. Only 44 of them were dismissed as a result.The Auditor General’s report on the Ministry of Defence for the 2003-04 financial year was tabled in the National Assembly last month.The Defence Force has about 14 800 soldiers, according to the most recent statistics of the Public Service Commission.At the start of the 2003-04 financial year, the Ministry of Defence was owed N$865 604 by soldiers who went AWOL during previous financial years.At the time of the most recent audit, only N$690 517 had been recovered and the Ministry was still owed N$1,8 million by soldiers who had contravened leave regulations.By the end of 2004, the Ministry of Defence was owed a further N$945 380 in outstanding advances.As has become customary among Government ministries, the Ministry of Defence also continues to spend beyond its budget allocation.During the 2003-04 financial year, it exceeded its budget by N$23 million.Of this amount, N$15,8 million was used by the army – N$1,7 million for utilities alone.”The Army has grown, resulting in many movements that involve subsistence allowances, high feeding, clothing and bedding costs.As the Army grows, so does the utilisation of water and electricity, rental charges and telephones,” notes the audit report.The Defence Force was also found to have spent “excessively” on contributions to the GIPF (Government Institutions Pension Fund), travel and subsistence allowances, materials, utilities and maintenance.Confirming the findings of a parliamentary committee which investigated the state of NDF bases around the country last year, the audit report says that the bases are in a very bad state and constantly have to deal with bursting sewerage pipes.”Almost everything has outlived its lifespan.The allocation of funds under subdivision 025 will never be able to put the bases in a good condition.They need complete reconstruction,” says the audit report.Further over-expenditure was incurred by the preparation of troops to participate in a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Liberia.The audit also found that not enough funds were allocated to the Minister’s Office for remuneration, travel and subsistence allowances and transport.”The ministers and the Special Advisor to the Minister travelled extensively on official missions abroad and at home, therefore the allocation of N$300 000 was not sufficient for the activities,” said the audit report.The maritime wing also overspent – by N$6,2 million, mostly on costs incurred by students studying in Brazil and South Africa.The training division, air wing, military hospital and the military attaché all underspent on their budgets, mostly as a result of over-estimating remuneration costs.The Ministry also paid out N$445 050 in compensation to eight soldiers who were injured during Namibia’s mission in the DRC.The Auditor General’s report expresses concern that the Ministry of Defence’s Debt Establishment account had doubled within a year from N$170 271 in 2002-03 to N$385 849 in 2003-04.The Accounting Officer has been asked to explain this situation and provide reasons to the Auditor General’s Office why 20 other suspense accounts have remained unchanged from the 2002-03 to 2003-04 financial years.The audit report does, however, acknowledge an improvement in the balance of the Bills Payable account from N$67 453 to N$19 443 for the 2003-04 financial year.Only 44 of them were dismissed as a result.The Auditor General’s report on the Ministry of Defence for the 2003-04 financial year was tabled in the National Assembly last month.The Defence Force has about 14 800 soldiers, according to the most recent statistics of the Public Service Commission.At the start of the 2003-04 financial year, the Ministry of Defence was owed N$865 604 by soldiers who went AWOL during previous financial years.At the time of the most recent audit, only N$690 517 had been recovered and the Ministry was still owed N$1,8 million by soldiers who had contravened leave regulations.By the end of 2004, the Ministry of Defence was owed a further N$945 380 in outstanding advances.As has become customary among Government ministries, the Ministry of Defence also continues to spend beyond its budget allocation.During the 2003-04 financial year, it exceeded its budget by N$23 million.Of this amount, N$15,8 million was used by the army – N$1,7 million for utilities alone.”The Army has grown, resulting in many movements that involve subsistence allowances, high feeding, clothing and bedding costs.As the Army grows, so does the utilisation of water and electricity, rental charges and telephones,” notes the audit report. The Defence Force was also found to have spent “excessively” on contributions to the GIPF (Government Institutions Pension Fund), travel and subsistence allowances, materials, utilities and maintenance.Confirming the findings of a parliamentary committee which investigated the state of NDF bases around the country last year, the audit report says that the bases are in a very bad state and constantly have to deal with bursting sewerage pipes.”Almost everything has outlived its lifespan.The allocation of funds under subdivision 025 will never be able to put the bases in a good condition.They need complete reconstruction,” says the audit report.Further over-expenditure was incurred by the preparation of troops to participate in a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Liberia.The audit also found that not enough funds were allocated to the Minister’s Office for remuneration, travel and subsistence allowances and transport.”The ministers and the Special Advisor to the Minister travelled extensively on official missions abroad and at home, therefore the allocation of N$300 000 was not sufficient for the activities,” said the audit report.The maritime wing also overspent – by N$6,2 million, mostly on costs incurred by students studying in Brazil and South Africa.The training division, air wing, military hospital and the military attaché all underspent on their budgets, mostly as a result of over-estimating remuneration costs.The Ministry also paid out N$445 050 in compensation to eight soldiers who were injured during Namibia’s mission in the DRC.The Auditor General’s report expresses concern that the Ministry of Defence’s Debt Establishment account had doubled within a year from N$170 271 in 2002-03 to N$385 849 in 2003-04.The Accounting Officer has been asked to explain this situation and provide reasons to the Auditor General’s Office why 20 other suspense accounts have remained unchanged from the 2002-03 to 2003-04 financial years.The audit report does, however, acknowledge an improvement in the balance of the Bills Payable account from N$67 453 to N$19 443 for the 2003-04 financial year.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!