MVA Fund to review operations, legislation

THE Motor Vehicle Fund of Namibia (MVA Fund) yesterday held a day-long symposium in Windhoek to deliberate on suggested legislative amendments that seek to address the challenges faced by the fund.

The MVA Fund has been experiencing problems with financial sustainability and is aiming at developing a model fund that would focus more on accident victims and gear itself to counter fraudulent claims. In his opening remarks, MVA Fund board chairperson Phillip Amunyela – in a speech read on his behalf by fellow board member Deidre Sauls – focussed on the present challenges facing the fund and the need for fundamental change.Amunyela outlined the three key challenges that the proposed legislative amendments sought to address as sustainability and solvency of the fund, victim-orientated service provision and organisational integrity and fraud prevention.Amunyela said crucial aspects of a revitalised fund were effective claims management, reasonable benefits, accessibility and public education and fraud control and accident prevention.He said the MVA Fund was on the right track to recovery since new appointments, including that of new chief executive officer Jeremia Muadinohamba in February this year, had been made and the fund had resolved to undertake a transformation process.Amunyela told participants of the symposium that the changes were the culmination of the past three months’ deliberations between the board, management and employees as well as an extended countrywide consultation by management with key stakeholders and the general public.”We thought it important to share with you what we regard as our challenges and indeed invite you for a full day’s discussion that will enable us to tap into your collective wisdom.”The board recognises the need for fundamental change to the delivery of services, in the design of such services – be it damages and/or benefits,” he said.He urged those in attendance to be guided by the public interest when drawing up proposals.”It is thus imperative that our proposals will ensure that the fund is able to address the needs of victims and their dependants.That is the noble goal, but it must be executed in a manner that society can carry the cost.The funding must not exert undue pressure on the consumer and society at large.”MVA Fund technical advisor Chris Greenland gave a detailed presentation on the lengthy proposed amendments up for discussion, which included matters such as the administrative body, victim-orientated service, pro-active interventions, support for dependants, treatment and rehabilitation and life enhancement for those disabled.The proposed changes would form the basis of the submission to be made to the Minister of Finance for further consideration.The symposium also brought together representatives from the MVA Fund’s of Botswana, South Africa and Swaziland, Government officials, Ombudsman John Walters, the Law Society of Namibia, the Legal Assistance Centre, accounting firm Ernst and Young and the ARCH Actuarial Consultancy.In his opening remarks, MVA Fund board chairperson Phillip Amunyela – in a speech read on his behalf by fellow board member Deidre Sauls – focussed on the present challenges facing the fund and the need for fundamental change.Amunyela outlined the three key challenges that the proposed legislative amendments sought to address as sustainability and solvency of the fund, victim-orientated service provision and organisational integrity and fraud prevention.Amunyela said crucial aspects of a revitalised fund were effective claims management, reasonable benefits, accessibility and public education and fraud control and accident prevention.He said the MVA Fund was on the right track to recovery since new appointments, including that of new chief executive officer Jeremia Muadinohamba in February this year, had been made and the fund had resolved to undertake a transformation process.Amunyela told participants of the symposium that the changes were the culmination of the past three months’ deliberations between the board, management and employees as well as an extended countrywide consultation by management with key stakeholders and the general public.”We thought it important to share with you what we regard as our challenges and indeed invite you for a full day’s discussion that will enable us to tap into your collective wisdom.”The board recognises the need for fundamental change to the delivery of services, in the design of such services – be it damages and/or benefits,” he said.He urged those in attendance to be guided by the public interest when drawing up proposals.”It is thus imperative that our proposals will ensure that the fund is able to address the needs of victims and their dependants.That is the noble goal, but it must be executed in a manner that society can carry the cost.The funding must not exert undue pressure on the consumer and society at large.”MVA Fund technical advisor Chris Greenland gave a detailed presentation on the lengthy proposed amendments up for discussion, which included matters such as the administrative body, victim-orientated service, pro-active interventions, support for dependants, treatment and rehabilitation and life enhancement for those disabled.The proposed changes would form the basis of the submission to be made to the Minister of Finance for further consideration.The symposium also brought together representatives from the MVA Fund’s of Botswana, South Africa and Swaziland, Government officials, Ombudsman John Walters, the Law Society of Namibia, the Legal Assistance Centre, accounting firm Ernst and Young and the ARCH Actuarial Consultancy.