RP dishes out bouquets and brickbats

THE Republican Party has congratulated Agriculture Minister Helmut Angula for halting the Agribank Affirmative Loan Scheme while problems with its administration are tackled.

In particular, the RP praised Angula’s suspension of further loans until questions surrounding financial matters and the screening of applicants are resolved. At the same time, the party lashed out at Lands Minister Hifikepunye Pohamba, accusing him of wasting money on an “abortive settlement scheme” and supporting the transfer of funds for the land redistribution programme from his Ministry to Agribank.”While the Republican Party remains totally committed to the principle of affirmative action and land reform, we feel strongly that natural resources, which include land, [should] be utilised responsibly and productively,” RP President Henk Mudge said in a statement.The party said the limited funds should be used to finance potentially successful farmers rather than to settle “would-be” farmers.This principle, it says, should also be followed by the agricultural unions and farmers assisting those new to the occupation.According to a party statement, “natural resources may not be redistributed to enrich only a small selected group of persons, privileged to know people in high places, at the expense of the welfare of the poor and unemployed, who are really in need”.At the same time, the party lashed out at Lands Minister Hifikepunye Pohamba, accusing him of wasting money on an “abortive settlement scheme” and supporting the transfer of funds for the land redistribution programme from his Ministry to Agribank. “While the Republican Party remains totally committed to the principle of affirmative action and land reform, we feel strongly that natural resources, which include land, [should] be utilised responsibly and productively,” RP President Henk Mudge said in a statement. The party said the limited funds should be used to finance potentially successful farmers rather than to settle “would-be” farmers. This principle, it says, should also be followed by the agricultural unions and farmers assisting those new to the occupation. According to a party statement, “natural resources may not be redistributed to enrich only a small selected group of persons, privileged to know people in high places, at the expense of the welfare of the poor and unemployed, who are really in need”.