Britain willing to assist Namibia on land reform

BRITAIN has said it is ready to provide more technical assistance towards Namibia’s land reform programme.

The head of the Commonwealth delegation that visited Namibia last week, Ian Davidson, told Prime Minister Theo-Ben Gurirab that Britain was ready to provide support to help Namibia solve the burning land issue. The delegation also met with Lands Minister Hifikepunye Pohamba.Davidson said Pohamba briefed them on the progress made with the land reform programme so far and they were impressed by how Namibia was handling the issue.He said Britain had a number of things to learn from Namibia, with the fishing sector’s performance topping the list.Gurirab told the delegation that the land reform programme was a “sensitive issue” but it was not necessary to fight over land.Reacting to statements made by a section of commercial farmers at Gobabis last week, Gurirab said the Government will “not fall prey to that”.”We will continue to speak to their minds and we will find a way out [to solve the land issue].We will stick to the Constitution and to the laws and negotiate the prices.Sometimes Government will win, the other times Government will lose.That’s the way we will go forward with reform and redistribution of land in our country,” he said.Namibia’s land reform programme is already receiving technical assistance from former colonial master Germany.Last year the German government said it would pump 23 million Euros into the Namibian economy over the next two years.The funding has been be channelled towards road improvement, land reform, rural development, natural resources and economic growth.Germany also promised to help with training for resettlement and infrastructure development.No money was given for the purchase of farms.The delegation also met with Lands Minister Hifikepunye Pohamba.Davidson said Pohamba briefed them on the progress made with the land reform programme so far and they were impressed by how Namibia was handling the issue.He said Britain had a number of things to learn from Namibia, with the fishing sector’s performance topping the list.Gurirab told the delegation that the land reform programme was a “sensitive issue” but it was not necessary to fight over land.Reacting to statements made by a section of commercial farmers at Gobabis last week, Gurirab said the Government will “not fall prey to that”.”We will continue to speak to their minds and we will find a way out [to solve the land issue].We will stick to the Constitution and to the laws and negotiate the prices.Sometimes Government will win, the other times Government will lose.That’s the way we will go forward with reform and redistribution of land in our country,” he said.Namibia’s land reform programme is already receiving technical assistance from former colonial master Germany.Last year the German government said it would pump 23 million Euros into the Namibian economy over the next two years.The funding has been be channelled towards road improvement, land reform, rural development, natural resources and economic growth.Germany also promised to help with training for resettlement and infrastructure development.No money was given for the purchase of farms.