Rotten food aid blamed on lax workers

Rotten food aid blamed on lax workers

OFFICIALS refusing to do their work, a total disregard for accountability, poor communication and a failure by the Caprivi Regional Council to take action have been cited as some of the main reasons why thousands of tonnes of food aid was left to rot in a military storeroom near Katima Mulilo.

The report on why flood victims never received more than 18 000 bags of maize meal has revealed that the Caprivi Regional Council was “grossly negligent” in its handling of both flood and drought relief food consignments. It described the situation as an “international embarrassment”.Cabinet has authorised the Prime Minister’s Office to compile a list of those directly responsible for the spoilage after discussing the report at its 17th ordinary meeting on August 2.Those on the list will face disciplinary proceedings.The investigation pointed to poor communication and co-ordination between Caprivi Governor Bernard Sibalatani and staff responsible for food delivery.”[There was a] lack of follow-up on delegated functions and responsibilities, exacerbated by a lack of resolve by those delegated to report on the extent to which the delegated functions and responsibilities were executed,” noted the report.After the Caprivi Regional Council failed to provide satisfactory answers to Cabinet Secretary Frans Kapofi in May as to why the food had been left to rot at the M’pacha Military Base, the Prime Minister’s Office launched an official investigation into the matter.Officials were found to have failed to adhere to existing procedures on handing over responsibilities from one official to another while also not implementing decisions taken at meetings of the Regional Emergency Management Unit (Remu).Because many of the meeting records and receipt vouchers for the food consignment went missing, it made it difficult to validate the discussions.The investigating team found the Remu leadership to “lack insight” and be incapable of motivating their staff members.”The lax control mechanisms created an opportunistic environment conducive to a perception of self-enrichment through overtime claims among staff members,” said the report.As claimed during an initial probe, it could not be verified whether officials had failed to distribute food because of suspended overtime claims There appeared to be no written proof of work instructions.Besides advising Government to take action against those perceived to have been responsible, it was also recommended that the Caprivi Regional Council and Remu officials undergo management and administrative training.The national and regional monitoring mechanisms for relief food distribution are also to be strengthened.Health officials found that the warehouse where the food was being stored did not conform to general health regulations.The food is to be destroyed.It described the situation as an “international embarrassment”.Cabinet has authorised the Prime Minister’s Office to compile a list of those directly responsible for the spoilage after discussing the report at its 17th ordinary meeting on August 2.Those on the list will face disciplinary proceedings.The investigation pointed to poor communication and co-ordination between Caprivi Governor Bernard Sibalatani and staff responsible for food delivery.”[There was a] lack of follow-up on delegated functions and responsibilities, exacerbated by a lack of resolve by those delegated to report on the extent to which the delegated functions and responsibilities were executed,” noted the report.After the Caprivi Regional Council failed to provide satisfactory answers to Cabinet Secretary Frans Kapofi in May as to why the food had been left to rot at the M’pacha Military Base, the Prime Minister’s Office launched an official investigation into the matter.Officials were found to have failed to adhere to existing procedures on handing over responsibilities from one official to another while also not implementing decisions taken at meetings of the Regional Emergency Management Unit (Remu).Because many of the meeting records and receipt vouchers for the food consignment went missing, it made it difficult to validate the discussions.The investigating team found the Remu leadership to “lack insight” and be incapable of motivating their staff members.”The lax control mechanisms created an opportunistic environment conducive to a perception of self-enrichment through overtime claims among staff members,” said the report.As claimed during an initial probe, it could not be verified whether officials had failed to distribute food because of suspended overtime claims There appeared to be no written proof of work instructions.Besides advising Government to take action against those perceived to have been responsible, it was also recommended that the Caprivi Regional Council and Remu officials undergo management and administrative training.The national and regional monitoring mechanisms for relief food distribution are also to be strengthened.Health officials found that the warehouse where the food was being stored did not conform to general health regulations.The food is to be destroyed.

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