Pohamba to rent retirement office

PRESIDENT Hifikepunye Pohamba will have to rent an office when he steps down next month although his N$35 million retirement mansion is almost complete and has a private office.

Permanent secretary in the Office of the President Samuel /Goagoseb told The Namibian yesterday that Pohamba’s house is ready to be used when he leaves office.

“It’s almost done. There are just final touches that need to be done. It will be absolutely ready,” he said.

Pohamba has not yet decided whether he will set up a retirement office as part of the retirement package but /Goagoseb insisted that the President agreed with the renting arrangement until such time such a decision is taken.

“We are trying to find a building to rent,” he said.

That means the government will spend on rent fees. It is not clear how much will be set aside to pay for rent.

/Goagoseb said the building to be rented will be necessary to accommodate official engagements of the outgoing President who will be a member of the proposed Presidential Council which will be giving advice to incoming President Hage Geingob.

According to /Goagoseb, the N$35 million is not only for the presidential mansion but also includes the renovation of former President Sam Nujoma’s house.

He could not, however, provide details of the amount for the renovations saying his office has not yet received the bill of quantities.

“We started renovating the various guest houses of Presidents in areas like Oshakati and Swakopmund,” he said.

There is talk that Pohamba’s mansion in Windhoek’s upper class Auasblick area has gobbled up most of the funds allocated to building and renovating houses of presidents. The expenses of the house are reported to be close to N$50 million.

The State-funded retirement house for the President is also shrouded in secrecy after officials from the President’s Office declined to provide further details about the procurement process and the companies involved.

The Namibian has learnt that the Chinese company Qingdao Construction building the mansion is the same Chinese company that built the Sam Nujoma Foundation offices.

Qingdao Construction has declined to talk to the media.

The Former Presidents’ Pension and Other Benefits Act of 2012 stipulates that the government should provide a private residence on land not exceeding 5 000 square metres to a former president.

The ground floor of Pohamba’s mansion includes four garages, three guest rooms, and a dining area for 30 people, a main guest lounge, as well as a private lounge, kitchen and laundry room, bar and braai area, a double volume lobby, a library and an office.

The top floor will have three family bedrooms, accommodation for staff, another two bedrooms, a family lounge, gym and a helicopter landing pad.

At his new home, Pohamba will be entitled to three domestic workers, two gardeners, two cooks, two waiters and two laundry workers. The cost of Pohamba’s retirement home is enough to build more than 100 low cost houses valued at N$350 000 each.

He will also be given three vehicles while his entertainment allowance and other costs will be determined by Cabinet.

Other benefits for former Presidents, include pension, benefits of the spouse, dependants, insolvency and exemption from income tax.

According to that Act, Pohamba will be paid a monthly pension equal or greater than the monthly basic salary that he received immediately before leaving office as President or 80% of his successor’s salary.

Pohamba will leave with at least 10 security personnel, unless the number is increased by Cabinet. He will have three drivers, two private secretaries, two personal assistants and two office attendants.