Finance Minister and Venaani cross swords

THE view of some opposition Members of Parliament that the monthly allowances of recognised traditional chiefs should be increased elicited strong reaction from Finance Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila in the National Assembly yesterday, when she said the demands created unrealistic expectations.

After the tea break on Wednesday, which lasted 40 minutes instead of only 20 minutes, DTA politician McHenry Venaani, who supported the motion tabled by the DTA’s Philemon Moongo, heard from the Finance Minister that recent debates started by the opposition had brought demands that Government should increase spending on many fronts, but no proper consultation or calculations had been made beforehand. “You know what the Government revenue is and where the expenditure goes as presented in the Budget documents.These unrealistic demands create expectations that Government should act, but resources are limited.My plea is, before such motions are tabled, consult and calculate expenses,” the Minister said.At this point, Venaani rose.”We as minority party bring issues to Parliament we think are important.To calculate figures is your job, my dear,” he angrily charged.”It is your right as politician to give figures [and say what is feasible or not].”Kuugongelwa-Amadhila quipped that that was not her point.”Wrong expectations are created when it is said in Parliament that Government should do this or that.It appears as if Parliament interferes with Cabinet.”It is about [opposition MPs] cornering Swapo in front of cameras to create the impression the Swapo Government does not care,” she told Venaani.”The trust of some traditional leaders was often betrayed by people who told them to resist development in their areas or argue against development due to cultural heritage sites [being destroyed in the process].But if they [developers] strike oil at Epupa [on the Kunene River] they will not care about ancestral graves,” she added.Venaani, not the least perturbed, immediately countered with: “If oil is struck at Epupa, the local communities will not benefit, like in Nigeria.Even at Epupa there will be no resistance to development if proper feasibility studies are undertaken,” he added.”You know what the Government revenue is and where the expenditure goes as presented in the Budget documents.These unrealistic demands create expectations that Government should act, but resources are limited.My plea is, before such motions are tabled, consult and calculate expenses,” the Minister said.At this point, Venaani rose.”We as minority party bring issues to Parliament we think are important.To calculate figures is your job, my dear,” he angrily charged.”It is your right as politician to give figures [and say what is feasible or not].”Kuugongelwa-Amadhila quipped that that was not her point.”Wrong expectations are created when it is said in Parliament that Government should do this or that.It appears as if Parliament interferes with Cabinet.”It is about [opposition MPs] cornering Swapo in front of cameras to create the impression the Swapo Government does not care,” she told Venaani.”The trust of some traditional leaders was often betrayed by people who told them to resist development in their areas or argue against development due to cultural heritage sites [being destroyed in the process].But if they [developers] strike oil at Epupa [on the Kunene River] they will not care about ancestral graves,” she added.Venaani, not the least perturbed, immediately countered with: “If oil is struck at Epupa, the local communities will not benefit, like in Nigeria.Even at Epupa there will be no resistance to development if proper feasibility studies are undertaken,” he added.