‘We will save N$31,2b getting rid of deputy ministers’

Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) leader Panduleni Itula says if elected into power his party would save the country N$31,2 billion allegedly paid to ministers and their deputies in monthly salaries.

Itula said this at a party rally at Helao Nafidi on Saturday.

“We will no longer waste a lot of money on ministers or on a large government. If you serve the people . . . get a decent job and we will reduce the Cabinet from 33 to 13 ministers and we are sure we will be saving N$31,2 billion getting rid of so-called deputy ministers,” he said.

Itula said his party would put a stop to wasting money through subsistence and travel (S&Ts) allowances.

“We shall ensure that we create a government that will look after young people and create jobs. If you cannot do anything in 34 years, you will not achieve anything if we give you another 34 years,” he said.

Itula urged traditional leaders to treat all political leaders equally.

He said traditional leaders should not have an eye for political parties.

“I am talking about true traditional leaders who are segregating and have apartheid as to which political party you belong to. Those traditional leaders who seek to support only one political party, you have betrayed the nation and it’s time you start embracing us and embracing humans as your children.

“That’s the spirit we will bring about,” he said.

According to Itula, an IPC-led government would restructure the National Petroleum Corporation of Namibia, Namibia Desert Diamonds and Agribusdev as these institutions contribute massively to the country’s gross domestic product.

He said the IPC would ensure Namibians get what belongs to them.

Itula said his party would also ensure that northern communal farmers do not only cultivate their fields during the rainy season.

“We will ensure that land is no longer cultivated once a year, but that we rotate the crops to ensure we can feed our people,” he said.

He asked why northern farmers do not cultivate in streams (oshanas) which are rich in nutrients.

Itula urged young people, especially young women, to participate in political activities so they too could be counted as national leaders.

He said he visited a soup kitchen at the coast recently.

“. . . while the government, which has all the money, is unable to feed these children.

“I saw the devastating pressure our young ladies undergo through gender-based violence, unwanted pregnancies and young men don’t want to take responsibility for their children,” Itula said.

He said there would not be a Namibia in which children are dumped.

Political analyst Rui Tyitende says Itula’s promises could only be measured if the party came into power.

“It is a like a boy proposing to a girl and promising all sorts of things under the sun. The girl would only know whether the intentions were genuine once they start dating.

“Whether this an election gimmick or not, only their accendance to state power would tell.

“Even if Swapo is dysfunctional, the opposition needs to earn the right to govern,” he says.

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