INFORMATION minister Stanley Simataa says he sees nothing wrong with him qualifying for more than N$130 000 as travel allowance for a recent trip to Russia.
The minister was reacting to questions posed by on why the state-owned agency Namibia Post and Telecom Holdings Ltd (NPTH) footed both his subsistence and travel (S&T) allowance as well as his business class ticket to Russia priced at almost N$50 000.
Simataa requested the generous travel allowance, in a letter addressed to NPTH chairperson Lena Kangandjela on 10 June, for his trip from 17 to 23 June.
The allowance was to cover his expenses at the second International Cybersecurity Congress, which was slated for 20 to 21 June.
According to his letter, the S&T rate set by the government is US$1 473 per day, which is equivalent to N$20 579.
This amount, multiplied by six days, brought the minister’s allowance to more than N$130 000.
Questioned about the big amount he received for expenditure, Simataa said he does not understand why the issue is being peddled in the media.
“It’s part and parcel of the normal operations any minister does when undertaking such missions. Permission was duly granted.” He continued: “I know there are a lot of people who are after us. Both internally and externally. You really need to exercise good judgement on issues of this nature. It’s like any minister going anyway, getting whatever benefits, to be able to carry out their assignment.”
NPTH operates within the information sector, and it is normal that they support their line ministry, he reasoned.
Simataa is the political head of NPTH, which is the holding company for Namibia Post Limited, Telecom Namibia Limited and Mobile Telecommunications Ltd.
“I know it’s forces who are working very hard to try and tarnish the good being done by some of us; and I know some of these forces,” he stated. Simataa added that the reasons for the fuss about his trip are purely political.
“The last time, it was the same issue with the Barcelona trip. Someone is having an agenda, in which they want to legitimise which is really illegitimate,” the minister theorised.
“I’m fond of reminding you [media] to stop being used as instruments in some of these things. You are not instruments,” he said, adding “I am disappointed that you are choosing to make this an issue.”
“Anyone who goes to Russia at my level [ministerial] gets that amount. What exactly should I do about it? I had an official engagement to attend to,” he maintained.
Simataa made his request to NPTH after presidential affairs minister Martin Andjaba informed him of president Hage Geingob’s approval of his trip.
“On behalf of president Hage Geingob, I acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 4 June 2019, regarding the above subject matter.
“I am delighted to inform you that the president has granted you permission to travel to Russia,” Andjaba’s letter stated.
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