DTA fires broadside at ‘gift’ ship

THE DTA’s McHenry Venaani yesterday questioned Brazil’s donation of a frigate to Namibia last week, alleging that it was part of an attempt to clinch a US$35 million deal to sell the country a warship and five patrol vessels.

Firing a barrage of questions at Minister of Defence Erkki Nghimtina in the National Assembly, Venaani further claimed that the manufacturer of the vessels had promised financial support to Swapo, should they seal the deal. Venaani asked Nghimtina, who accompanied President Sam Nujoma on his recent trip to Brazil, for details related to agreements entered into by the two countries as far as defence was concerned.”Can one construe that this donation of a frigate is an indirect favour for our country to close the US$35 million dollar deal with Brazil?” he asked.Venaani was particularly interested in knowing whether the Minister had to date signed any contract that would bind Namibia to buying the vessels.Questioning the value of the donated vessel in Namibian currency, Venaani also wanted to know whether the Ministry of Defence had approached other international manufacturers for quotations on a similar ship it allegedly plans to buy from Brazil as well as for patrol boats.He asked that these quotations be released for public scrutiny.Venaani claimed that a senior Brazilian naval delegation as well as the ship manufacturers had previously visited Namibia to lobby Government to purchase the vessels and asked Nghimtina to name the local officials who met this delegation.In turn, Venaani alleged that Namibians had also visited Brazil to inspect the vessels ahead of the President.The DTA MP requested feedback on his questions by tomorrow.Venaani asked Nghimtina, who accompanied President Sam Nujoma on his recent trip to Brazil, for details related to agreements entered into by the two countries as far as defence was concerned.”Can one construe that this donation of a frigate is an indirect favour for our country to close the US$35 million dollar deal with Brazil?” he asked.Venaani was particularly interested in knowing whether the Minister had to date signed any contract that would bind Namibia to buying the vessels.Questioning the value of the donated vessel in Namibian currency, Venaani also wanted to know whether the Ministry of Defence had approached other international manufacturers for quotations on a similar ship it allegedly plans to buy from Brazil as well as for patrol boats.He asked that these quotations be released for public scrutiny.Venaani claimed that a senior Brazilian naval delegation as well as the ship manufacturers had previously visited Namibia to lobby Government to purchase the vessels and asked Nghimtina to name the local officials who met this delegation.In turn, Venaani alleged that Namibians had also visited Brazil to inspect the vessels ahead of the President.The DTA MP requested feedback on his questions by tomorrow.