Half of presidential budget goes to new State House

PRESIDENT Hifikepunye Pohamba will need N$186 million to run his office this financial year.According to the Budget, the President’s activities are outlined under broad programmes to uphold, protect and defend the Constitution; ensuring State offices deliver on Government’s objectives and avoiding threats to national security, political stability and economic sabotage.

Motivating the budget in the National Assembly on Friday, Minister of Presidential Affairs Albert Kawana said: “These are critical requirements. In fact, they stand at the heart of our very nationhood.”The welfare of our people and the socio-economic development of our country is the foremost preoccupation and motivation of all that our President does and says.His words and actions in this regard speak loud and clear,” said Kawana.Kawana said the President would be busy meeting with communities from all backgrounds as he travels the country’s regions, as well as SADC and other African states.Kawana said these visits would enable Namibia to cement good diplomatic relations, as well as promote trade.Of the total budget, N$86 million will be for operational expenditure, while N$100 million is for development projects.The controversial capital project of building a new State House falls within this allocation – as a project to uphold and defend the Constitution.The construction accounts for N$90 million of that amount, while the remainder goes to the Namibia Central Intelligence Services (NCIS) for development projects in the regions.The NCIS will receive an operational budget of N$46,2 million.Kawana said “for obvious national security considerations” he could not provide more detail on what this money would be used for.Previously the Office of the President consisted of two main divisions.This has now expanded to five, including that of the Office of the Founding President.This office will cost the state N$5,7 million to run during this financial year.This amount will cover personnel and travel expenses as well as materials, supplies, office furniture and equipment.Kawana launched into lengthy praise of the work of the former President, saying the allocation was in “celebration of a comrade” and a proper “retirement farewell”.”He set high standards of dedication to the noble cause of our nation.It is because of these achievements to which our Founding President made an enormous contribution that today we can walk among the community of free nations,” said Kawana.The Office of the Cabinet will receive N$4,1 million while the President’s Economic Advisory Council will get N$855 million through the budget vote of the President’s Office.The budget for this office will be debated in the House tomorrow.In fact, they stand at the heart of our very nationhood.”The welfare of our people and the socio-economic development of our country is the foremost preoccupation and motivation of all that our President does and says.His words and actions in this regard speak loud and clear,” said Kawana.Kawana said the President would be busy meeting with communities from all backgrounds as he travels the country’s regions, as well as SADC and other African states.Kawana said these visits would enable Namibia to cement good diplomatic relations, as well as promote trade.Of the total budget, N$86 million will be for operational expenditure, while N$100 million is for development projects.The controversial capital project of building a new State House falls within this allocation – as a project to uphold and defend the Constitution.The construction accounts for N$90 million of that amount, while the remainder goes to the Namibia Central Intelligence Services (NCIS) for development projects in the regions.The NCIS will receive an operational budget of N$46,2 million.Kawana said “for obvious national security considerations” he could not provide more detail on what this money would be used for.Previously the Office of the President consisted of two main divisions.This has now expanded to five, including that of the Office of the Founding President.This office will cost the state N$5,7 million to run during this financial year.This amount will cover personnel and travel expenses as well as materials, supplies, office furniture and equipment.Kawana launched into lengthy praise of the work of the former President, saying the allocation was in “celebration of a comrade” and a proper “retirement farewell”.”He set high standards of dedication to the noble cause of our nation.It is because of these achievements to which our Founding President made an enormous contribution that today we can walk among the community of free nations,” said Kawana.The Office of the Cabinet will receive N$4,1 million while the President’s Economic Advisory Council will get N$855 million through the budget vote of the President’s Office.The budget for this office will be debated in the House tomorrow.