No Cabinet cuts!

PRESIDENT Hifikepunye Pohamba yesterday said he has no intention of cutting down the size of his Cabinet and top structure to divert some of the funds towards education.

Answering questions by Congress of Democrats leader Ben Ulenga in the National Assembly after his State of the Nation Address, Pohamba said he was not happy with the results despite Government spending around N$3,7 billion on education. “The huge amount [we give to education] is to see success.We want to see a 90 per cent pass rate or better,” he said.Ulenga said Pohamba’s Cabinet and top civil servants – “the elite staff” – cost Government N$250 million and suggested that Pohamba consider downsizing of his Cabinet to free up more money for education.”I have no intention of doing that.That is the answer,” Pohamba said.The President also rejected a suggestion by DTA leader Katuutire Kaura that the Government do away with the “white elephant” Air Namibia, saying the airline was bringing in tourists and boosting the hospitality industry.”People seem to deliberately (over)look the importance of Air Namibia.Air Namibia makes some contribution.Look at Air Namibia not just from one angle.Look from the other angle also,” Pohamba said.The President said he had no intention of discussing issues related to Zimbabwe in the National Assembly and suggested that Ulenga visit him at State House to discuss the matter.Most of Pohamba’s responses to questions went the same route, with repeated statements that the opposition must visit him more often for consultation even though it was a State of the Nation address with the rest of the country expecting to hear his answers.The President said the millions that disappeared at the Offshore Development Company (ODC), Social Security Commission and the Ministry of Defence were still under investigation by the Office of the Prosecutor General and he was unable to comment on the matter.Kaura said he had a feeling that, judging from his State of the Nation Address, Pohamba was a “mind reader” and had answered many questions before he was asked, while the UDF’s Justus //Garoeb and the Republican Party’s Henk Mudge waived the opportunity that comes once in a year.”The huge amount [we give to education] is to see success.We want to see a 90 per cent pass rate or better,” he said.Ulenga said Pohamba’s Cabinet and top civil servants – “the elite staff” – cost Government N$250 million and suggested that Pohamba consider downsizing of his Cabinet to free up more money for education.”I have no intention of doing that.That is the answer,” Pohamba said.The President also rejected a suggestion by DTA leader Katuutire Kaura that the Government do away with the “white elephant” Air Namibia, saying the airline was bringing in tourists and boosting the hospitality industry.”People seem to deliberately (over)look the importance of Air Namibia.Air Namibia makes some contribution.Look at Air Namibia not just from one angle.Look from the other angle also,” Pohamba said.The President said he had no intention of discussing issues related to Zimbabwe in the National Assembly and suggested that Ulenga visit him at State House to discuss the matter.Most of Pohamba’s responses to questions went the same route, with repeated statements that the opposition must visit him more often for consultation even though it was a State of the Nation address with the rest of the country expecting to hear his answers.The President said the millions that disappeared at the Offshore Development Company (ODC), Social Security Commission and the Ministry of Defence were still under investigation by the Office of the Prosecutor General and he was unable to comment on the matter.Kaura said he had a feeling that, judging from his State of the Nation Address, Pohamba was a “mind reader” and had answered many questions before he was asked, while the UDF’s Justus //Garoeb and the Republican Party’s Henk Mudge waived the opportunity that comes once in a year.