Security spending ‘meagre’

MINISTER of Safety and Security Peter Tsheehama has defended Government’s expenditure on Defence, the Police and the Central Intelligence Service, saying that, in fact, it was “meagre”.

“Security is a first priority and a national goal to be achieved,” said Tsheehama in a speech delivered in part in the National Assembly on Tuesday. He said despite the meagre resources allocated to these institutions, they have still managed to make Namibia a safe haven for citizens and foreigners and a conducive environment for investment.Tsheehama said he was “offended” by the opposition parties’ stance on the matter, saying they failed to appreciate and applaud the duties of men and women who worked for these structures.”It’s high time [that] the opposition parties appreciate the peace, tranquillity, unity and sustainable economic development brought about by the Swapo Government,” he said.Tsheehama said crime was one of the country’s major threats along with poverty, unemployment, hunger and disease.But he said he did not think that the resources allocated to the Police were enough to eradicate crime.”How on earth can the Namibian Police and other Security Agencies fight crime with the meagre resources allocated to them,” he asked.He said the Police’s slow response time was because of a lack of adequate equipment and operational ability.”Such equipment and capabilities cost money and can only be secured through adequate funding,” said Tsheehama.He said Government needed to strike a balance between state security and human security.The former Intelligence Chief said state security was the foundation of any nation, as human security was built upon it.”Only when these two are in balance, can we be guaranteed of everlasting peace and security, stability, unity, tranquillity and sustainable economic development,” said Tsheehama.He said despite the meagre resources allocated to these institutions, they have still managed to make Namibia a safe haven for citizens and foreigners and a conducive environment for investment.Tsheehama said he was “offended” by the opposition parties’ stance on the matter, saying they failed to appreciate and applaud the duties of men and women who worked for these structures.”It’s high time [that] the opposition parties appreciate the peace, tranquillity, unity and sustainable economic development brought about by the Swapo Government,” he said.Tsheehama said crime was one of the country’s major threats along with poverty, unemployment, hunger and disease.But he said he did not think that the resources allocated to the Police were enough to eradicate crime.”How on earth can the Namibian Police and other Security Agencies fight crime with the meagre resources allocated to them,” he asked.He said the Police’s slow response time was because of a lack of adequate equipment and operational ability.”Such equipment and capabilities cost money and can only be secured through adequate funding,” said Tsheehama.He said Government needed to strike a balance between state security and human security.The former Intelligence Chief said state security was the foundation of any nation, as human security was built upon it.”Only when these two are in balance, can we be guaranteed of everlasting peace and security, stability, unity, tranquillity and sustainable economic development,” said Tsheehama.