Mega millions for State House, spooks

THE construction costs of the new State House for the new financial year until March 2008 will come to N$108,92 million – almost half of the N$230,16 million for the Office of the President, the Minister for Presidential Affairs, Dr Albert Kawana, revealed yesterday.

He disclosed no further details on when the complex will be completed or when President Hifikepunye Pohamba will move into the huge palace, built by North Koreans. Kawana devoted half of his 17-page speech in the National Assembly to a mini-review of activities in the Office of the President, although the Head of State covered it all in his State of the Nation address last week.The National Central Intelligence Service (NCIS) will receive a whopping N$69,43 million.”For obvious security considerations do not expect me to elaborate further on this part of the vote,” Minister Kawana said.”The NCIS contributes to the enjoyment of life by the Namibian people in a safe and secure environment, where they can pursue their activities without the threat of violence and crime,” he added.The office of former President Sam Nujoma will receive N$8,48 million “to see that this Office is properly maintained and to ensure that his office is properly maintained”, according to Kawana.The Cabinet Secretariat will receive N$7,38 million.Kawana requested the House to approve a total budget of N$230,19 million for the Office of the President.Kawana devoted half of his 17-page speech in the National Assembly to a mini-review of activities in the Office of the President, although the Head of State covered it all in his State of the Nation address last week.The National Central Intelligence Service (NCIS) will receive a whopping N$69,43 million. “For obvious security considerations do not expect me to elaborate further on this part of the vote,” Minister Kawana said.”The NCIS contributes to the enjoyment of life by the Namibian people in a safe and secure environment, where they can pursue their activities without the threat of violence and crime,” he added.The office of former President Sam Nujoma will receive N$8,48 million “to see that this Office is properly maintained and to ensure that his office is properly maintained”, according to Kawana.The Cabinet Secretariat will receive N$7,38 million.Kawana requested the House to approve a total budget of N$230,19 million for the Office of the President.