Way cleared for German N$160 million

A SPECIAL team, headed by Deputy Prime Minister Dr Libertina Ama­thila, has finalised consultations with Herero, Nama, Damara and San communities to pave the way for the distribution of N$160 million a year over the next 10 years as part of German reparations.

Called the ‘special initiative’ by Germany, the European country undertook to give 20 million euro each year over 10 years to those communities, effectively to pave the way for reparations to Herero, Nama, Damara and San communities massacred during the colonial era, which lasted from 1884 to 1915. Amathila, on instructions of President Hifikepunye Pohamba, undertook a consultation mission to Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Kunene, Otjozondjupa and Omaheke regions in February and March.She submitted a list of projects to Pohamba that will benefit the communities if funded by the German millions.Cabinet last week agreed to establish a steering committee to oversee the implementation of special initiative.”The steering committee will have to do an annual review of the programme, consider and approve an annual work plan, and discuss and agree on strategic aspects of the programme,” a Cabinet statement said yesterday.In May this year the two countries agreed to appoint consultants to verify the cost of the submitted projects and needs of the communities and to determine the disbursement of funds from the special initiative.”Following the dialogue between the National Planning Commission secretariat and the German Embassy and the visit of a KfW (Bank) expert to Namibia in August 2006, the terms of reference for the consulting services on the design and feasibility study for the special initiative programme were prepared.The terms of reference were approved by the German government and after approval by the Namibian Government a tender notice can be published in Germany and Namibia,” the statement said.Last week’s approval by Cabinet means the tender notices will now go out in both countries.During President Pohamba’s State visit to Germany in November last year, the German government tabled the special initiative but Pohamba’s delegation declined to sign the deal, saying Namibia needed to conduct an assessment with the target groups before an agreement was signed.Cabinet said Namibia was now ready to receive the money on behalf of the communities.Amathila, on instructions of President Hifikepunye Pohamba, undertook a consultation mission to Erongo, Hardap, Karas, Kunene, Otjozondjupa and Omaheke regions in February and March.She submitted a list of projects to Pohamba that will benefit the communities if funded by the German millions.Cabinet last week agreed to establish a steering committee to oversee the implementation of special initiative. “The steering committee will have to do an annual review of the programme, consider and approve an annual work plan, and discuss and agree on strategic aspects of the programme,” a Cabinet statement said yesterday.In May this year the two countries agreed to appoint consultants to verify the cost of the submitted projects and needs of the communities and to determine the disbursement of funds from the special initiative.”Following the dialogue between the National Planning Commission secretariat and the German Embassy and the visit of a KfW (Bank) expert to Namibia in August 2006, the terms of reference for the consulting services on the design and feasibility study for the special initiative programme were prepared.The terms of reference were approved by the German government and after approval by the Namibian Government a tender notice can be published in Germany and Namibia,” the statement said.Last week’s approval by Cabinet means the tender notices will now go out in both countries.During President Pohamba’s State visit to Germany in November last year, the German government tabled the special initiative but Pohamba’s delegation declined to sign the deal, saying Namibia needed to conduct an assessment with the target groups before an agreement was signed.Cabinet said Namibia was now ready to receive the money on behalf of the communities.