THE leader of the Landless People’s Movement, Bernadus Swartbooi, has criticised the formation of a high-level panel on the economy, saying it does not address the fundamentals of the economy.
Swartbooi said the appointment of the economic panel by president Hage Geingob shows that the head of state had lost trust in members of the executive to transform the country’s economy.
He made these remarks when he addressed LPM members in Windhoek on Saturday.
Geingob earlier this year appointed a 22-member committee to advise the government on best practices.
He said at the time that the panel was appointed as part of fulfilling the promise he made last year to set up a high-level presidential economic advisory council on the economy.
Geingob had said the voluntary committee would also strengthen the social contract between the government, labour organisations and the private sector.
The committee, led by businessman Johannes Gawaxab as chairperson, also promised to help bring in investments of US$1 billion (about N$15 billion) in the next two years.
The panel was furthermore tasked with coordinating the hosting of the 2019 Namibia Economic Growth Revival Summit, set to take place at the end of July.
Swartbooi, however, criticised the panel, saying it did not address the real issue at hand.
“First, that committee is about deregulation and liberalisation. They want to deregulate, they want to liberalise, and they want to make it easier for those who have money to do whatever it is that they can do with as little restrictions as possible.
Jobs and new businesses are not being supported, new industries are not being created, and we recycle the same people,” he stated.
He added that the committee was also not needed because it would now have to take up the job that was supposed to be done by cabinet ministers and other government institutions.
“Why would he put up a committee of 22 people to do what other people are supposed to do, if things were under control? So what would the other people be doing? They would just be going to work and drink coffee, or what is the plan? It is the biggest joke,” Swartbooi said.
The LPM leader added that the appointment of the panel also shows that the Swapo party government has run out of ideas on how to govern the country.
He further charged that Namibia was not ready to spend money on an economic summit.
“The question is, did we not have a big meeting just recently, where the president and his team went to New York, and they had a big joy ride in New York? They also spent N$20 million on the investors’ conference in 2016. Where are the investments from that investors’ conference?
“What happened to the investments of N$20 million that we spent on a big conference to bring investments to grow the economy and to create jobs?” he asked.
Swartbooi said it was time for new blood in leadership, as the current crop of leaders have run out of ideas.
“It shows that you have even become old, worn-out, and have no more ideas. Thank for the struggle, thank you for the liberation, we have repaid you for 30 years. It is time to chaila,” he continued.
He thus suggested that the government should rather make follow-ups on the 2016 investment conference, and “call the people who pledged to come and invest in Namibia.”
In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.
The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.
Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for
only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!
