Gurirab warns against BEE quick fixes

A NUMBER of recent black economic empowerment (BEE) deals in Namibia might have to be reviewed once a relevant Government policy is in place, a top Government official has warned.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Theo-Ben Gurirab, said such “hasty deals now being forged” in Namibia would need to be reviewed in the future and looked at anew within the framework of future Government policy once the relevant law was put in place. Gurirab was addressing members of the Organisation of Public Accounts Committees in the Southern African Development Community (SADCOPAC), which held a regional conference in Windhoek at the end of last week.”I want to caution about BEE uneasy deals in Namibia and to everybody involved.It is not a question of whose money is being shared or the nature of partnerships, but rather because of genuine concern to ensure transparency, the rule of law and promotion of a new and coherent socio-economic paradigm in Namibia,” the Speaker told the gathering.”It is better to avoid wrong things and allow Government to formulate the BEE policy and for Parliament to adopt suitable legislation.Quick fixes will not become faits accompli.”The Government has embarked on the drafting of a BEE policy and the Office of the Prime Minister is in charge of the consultation and formulation process.Speaking on the role of parliamentary public accounts committees, Gurirab noted that: “Parliament is the people’s common house and the heartbeat of participatory democracy.It must have a strong role in budgetary process.”Gurirab said there was a need for transparent and accountable national institutions that respected the rights of the people, fought against corruption and replaced incompetence with efficiency.”It is imaginative leadership and hard work that breed lasting success and prosperity for all,” Gurirab added.He said South Africa was debating a code of conduct on wealth accumulation and property ownership, and he strongly recommended that Namibia do the same.Gurirab was addressing members of the Organisation of Public Accounts Committees in the Southern African Development Community (SADCOPAC), which held a regional conference in Windhoek at the end of last week. “I want to caution about BEE uneasy deals in Namibia and to everybody involved.It is not a question of whose money is being shared or the nature of partnerships, but rather because of genuine concern to ensure transparency, the rule of law and promotion of a new and coherent socio-economic paradigm in Namibia,” the Speaker told the gathering.”It is better to avoid wrong things and allow Government to formulate the BEE policy and for Parliament to adopt suitable legislation.Quick fixes will not become faits accompli.”The Government has embarked on the drafting of a BEE policy and the Office of the Prime Minister is in charge of the consultation and formulation process.Speaking on the role of parliamentary public accounts committees, Gurirab noted that: “Parliament is the people’s common house and the heartbeat of participatory democracy.It must have a strong role in budgetary process.”Gurirab said there was a need for transparent and accountable national institutions that respected the rights of the people, fought against corruption and replaced incompetence with efficiency.”It is imaginative leadership and hard work that breed lasting success and prosperity for all,” Gurirab added.He said South Africa was debating a code of conduct on wealth accumulation and property ownership, and he strongly recommended that Namibia do the same.