NNN’s merger of fisheries into agriculture delays staff payments

The reshuffling by president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, which merged the then ministry of fisheries with the ministry of agriculture, has resulted in delayed payments for former Vote 22 staff members.

The merger took place in March 2025 during Nandi-Ndaitwah’s Cabinet announcement.

The former Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources was dissolved and incorporated into agriculture ministry, creating the new Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform.

In an internal letter dated 23 May, executive director (ED) of agriculture and fisheries Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata apologised to all staff for the delays in payment.

The minsitry merge had vast implications on the structure and budget of the former fisheries ministry, namely Vote 22.

“The issues related to the structure are still a work in progress, however, the transfer of staff on the financial system is nearing completion but has had some adverse impact on the operations of the staff of the former Minsitry of Fisheries and Marine Resources,” she said in the letter.

Nghituwamata said that the Ministry of Finance has intervened to resolve the matter.

“The staff of the Minsitry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform are working together with Ministry of Finance to create pay points for all the staff that previously resorted under Vote 22, and they are being transferred to Vote 37 and 38, respectively.

“As a result, payments linked to overtime cannot be effected, until the transfer is finalised. The ministry hereby apologises for any inconvenience caused by the delayed payments due to staff, and be informed that the matter is getting the utmost attention,” she said.

Responding to questions, agriculture minister Inge Zaamwani-Kaamwi yesterday said she will seek clarity on the matter.

“Thanks I have received your query and will seek clarity on your query and revert soonest, as many people are out off office today and most likely tomorrow,” she said.

Last month, The Namibian reported that former ED of fisheries Moses Maurihungirire criticised the merger of the two ministries, saying the merger will dilute the two ministries’ performances.

“If you combine agriculture and fisheries, you will dilute both performances of the two ministries . . . you will have a problem with who will be in charge of planning and human resources, because all those ministries have been there for 35 years, and they have created cultures and made inroads. Mixing them is a recipe for disaster,” he said.

He said the dominant nature of agriculture could push fisheries into the background and undermine the management and sustainability of the country’s fishing industry.

“By international experience, there are very few countries that integrate fisheries with agriculture. When you look at those countries that have those kinds of regimes, the operationality of the fishery sector is very much overshadowed because agriculture is dominant,” Maurihungirire said.

The president has since justified her decision to merge the ministries as a strategy to eliminate duplication, reduce expenditure and enhance the efficient implementation of the country’s development programme.

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