Former President’s office overspent massively, S&T allowances abused

AIR travel and other transport expenses incurred by former President Sam Nujoma and his staff caused the Office of the President to overspend by more than N$840 000 during the 2003-4 financial year – without Treasury approval.

According to the Auditor-General’s most recent audit of the office, the total budget of the President’s Office was exceeded by an amount equal to 0,5 per cent of the total budget for that office. In fact, savings had to be used to plug the actual over-expenditure of N$1,4 million on nine operational and one development subdivision – in the end putting the over-expenditure at N$798 471.The over-expenditure has in part been put down to air transport claims for local trips being higher than expected.The Office of the President obtained exemption from the Tender Board to charter flights to the value of N$74 600.According to the audit report, the over-expenditure was also due to the hiring of pool cars for the visits of VIPs to the President as well as for penalty charges for vehicles not being taken to the Government Garage to be serviced on time.Nine vehicles with accident damage amounting to N$295 843 occurred during 2003/04.Seven of these vehicles were repaired at a cost of N$93 000.Staff of the Office of the President also abused subsistence and travel allowances during the year under review and by the end of March 2004, there were 62 cases of outstanding subsistence advances amounted to N$963 374.At the time of the audit, the then Secretary to Nujoma, Ndeutala Angolo, said outstanding balances were being deducted from the salaries and overtime payments of staff.In his opinion, Auditor General Junias Kandjeke said that the receipts and payments made by the President’s Office were applied for the purposes intended by the National Assembly and conformed to the authorities that govern them.During the financial year under review, the Office of the President obtained Tender Board exemption to the value of N$3,3 million for the procurement of a number of items and services valued including printing services, political entertainment and ceremonial expenses.Furniture valued at N$160 944 was bought for the office of the Secretary to the President, for which Tender Board exemption was also obtained.Nujoma presented 22 gifts to the value of N$57 458 during his visits to foreign countries and VIP visits to Namibia.In fact, savings had to be used to plug the actual over-expenditure of N$1,4 million on nine operational and one development subdivision – in the end putting the over-expenditure at N$798 471.The over-expenditure has in part been put down to air transport claims for local trips being higher than expected.The Office of the President obtained exemption from the Tender Board to charter flights to the value of N$74 600.According to the audit report, the over-expenditure was also due to the hiring of pool cars for the visits of VIPs to the President as well as for penalty charges for vehicles not being taken to the Government Garage to be serviced on time. Nine vehicles with accident damage amounting to N$295 843 occurred during 2003/04.Seven of these vehicles were repaired at a cost of N$93 000.Staff of the Office of the President also abused subsistence and travel allowances during the year under review and by the end of March 2004, there were 62 cases of outstanding subsistence advances amounted to N$963 374.At the time of the audit, the then Secretary to Nujoma, Ndeutala Angolo, said outstanding balances were being deducted from the salaries and overtime payments of staff.In his opinion, Auditor General Junias Kandjeke said that the receipts and payments made by the President’s Office were applied for the purposes intended by the National Assembly and conformed to the authorities that govern them.During the financial year under review, the Office of the President obtained Tender Board exemption to the value of N$3,3 million for the procurement of a number of items and services valued including printing services, political entertainment and ceremonial expenses.Furniture valued at N$160 944 was bought for the office of the Secretary to the President, for which Tender Board exemption was also obtained.Nujoma presented 22 gifts to the value of N$57 458 during his visits to foreign countries and VIP visits to Namibia.