Parastatals come under the whip in the NC

A SWAPO MP in the National Council has lashed out at some parastatals, saying they are not performing to Government’s expectations.

John Hakaye, Regional Councillor for the Okalongo constituency in the Omusati Region, said during debate on the second reading of the Appropriations Bill this week that those parastatals, instead being a source of income, had had to be bailed out by Government. “This is not healthy since it is defeating the purpose of their very existence,” he said.However, Hakaye said, there were some that performed well, such as NamPower and Telecom.”NamPower is really powering the nation and NamWater is equally trying to water the nation, particularly the rural communities,” he said.The Swapo Party’s Phillemon Ndjambula applauded Government for providing for an increase in pensions in the 2004-2005 budget – up to N$300 a month from N$250.Ndjambula, who is Councillor for the Olukonda constituency in the Oshikoto Region, said the increment had come at the right time – with old people facing many challenges, such as poverty and looking after the growing number of HIV-AIDS orphans.However, he was concerned that while the Education and Health Ministries received the biggest allocation, much of it went on salaries, while little attention was given to items such as books, infrastructure, stationery and equipment.He said many children still walked long distances to schools while others had to make do with broken chairs and desks.Ndjambula said unless urgent action was taken to attend to this problem, some pupils would find themselves sitting on the floor.”This is not healthy since it is defeating the purpose of their very existence,” he said.However, Hakaye said, there were some that performed well, such as NamPower and Telecom.”NamPower is really powering the nation and NamWater is equally trying to water the nation, particularly the rural communities,” he said.The Swapo Party’s Phillemon Ndjambula applauded Government for providing for an increase in pensions in the 2004-2005 budget – up to N$300 a month from N$250.Ndjambula, who is Councillor for the Olukonda constituency in the Oshikoto Region, said the increment had come at the right time – with old people facing many challenges, such as poverty and looking after the growing number of HIV-AIDS orphans.However, he was concerned that while the Education and Health Ministries received the biggest allocation, much of it went on salaries, while little attention was given to items such as books, infrastructure, stationery and equipment.He said many children still walked long distances to schools while others had to make do with broken chairs and desks.Ndjambula said unless urgent action was taken to attend to this problem, some pupils would find themselves sitting on the floor.