State House ruled out in Nujoma package

AFTER fierce lobbying for the current State House to be made part of President Sam Nujoma’s retirement perks, the National Council on Wednesday decided against the move.

On Tuesday, Swapo MP Johnny Hakaye postponed the passing of the bill to prepare an amendment to the schedule of the Former Presidents’ Pension and Other Benefits Bill which would include State House. But on Wednesday Hakaye dropped the proposed amendment, saying he had been “re-assured” that Nujoma would not be left in the lurch without a home when he retired.”I have made every necessary scientific research on this and have consulted quite a number [of people].I was doubly assured that comrade President has been taken proper care of and will never be thrown onto the streets,” he said during the Committee Stage of the bill.The bill was then passed without amendments.Hakaye told The Namibian afterwards that he had consulted the Minister of Justice Albert Kawana as well as State House officials on whether adequate provision had been made to accommodate Nujoma after retirement.He said he had been uneasy about the situation given that no final date had been set for the completion of the new State House being built in Auasblick, nor whether the funds were available for its completion.Hakaye said he was told during consultations that the old State House would remain State property as an historical building to be used for State purposes.The bill provides for the State to pay for a house or an allowance for a residence for Nujoma in Windhoek.During debate on the bill earlier this week, Hakaye was supported by National Council Vice Chairperson Margareth Mensah-Williams, who also mooted the inclusion of State House in Nujoma’s exit package, given the role he played as liberator and the country’s first president.The DTA’s Sampie Cloete said he thought the benefits were too excessive given the country’s economy, population and high unemployment rate.The proposition of State House being included as a “gift” upon retirement was first made by National Assembly MP Doreen Sioka when the bill was under discussion there earlier this month.However it did not receive the necessary support for inclusion.The bill will regulate the retirement packages of all the country’s former presidents.Nujoma as its first beneficiary will receive a tax-free gratuity equal to his annual basic salary of N$415 479, as well as a pension equal to this amount.His pension could increase should the next president earn more than Nujoma does at present.In terms of the bill, the country’s first president will receive a pension equal to the incumbent President’s full salary if it is greater than the amount he earned during his time in office.These amounts will be paid from the State Revenue Fund.Further, the State will pay Nujoma’s medical aid, international and national travel costs to certain limits, a fully-equipped office, three vehicles, six office staff, 10 security personnel and 11 household staff.But on Wednesday Hakaye dropped the proposed amendment, saying he had been “re-assured” that Nujoma would not be left in the lurch without a home when he retired.”I have made every necessary scientific research on this and have consulted quite a number [of people].I was doubly assured that comrade President has been taken proper care of and will never be thrown onto the streets,” he said during the Committee Stage of the bill.The bill was then passed without amendments.Hakaye told The Namibian afterwards that he had consulted the Minister of Justice Albert Kawana as well as State House officials on whether adequate provision had been made to accommodate Nujoma after retirement.He said he had been uneasy about the situation given that no final date had been set for the completion of the new State House being built in Auasblick, nor whether the funds were available for its completion.Hakaye said he was told during consultations that the old State House would remain State property as an historical building to be used for State purposes.The bill provides for the State to pay for a house or an allowance for a residence for Nujoma in Windhoek.During debate on the bill earlier this week, Hakaye was supported by National Council Vice Chairperson Margareth Mensah-Williams, who also mooted the inclusion of State House in Nujoma’s exit package, given the role he played as liberator and the country’s first president.The DTA’s Sampie Cloete said he thought the benefits were too excessive given the country’s economy, population and high unemployment rate.The proposition of State House being included as a “gift” upon retirement was first made by National Assembly MP Doreen Sioka when the bill was under discussion there earlier this month.However it did not receive the necessary support for inclusion.The bill will regulate the retirement packages of all the country’s former presidents.Nujoma as its first beneficiary will receive a tax-free gratuity equal to his annual basic salary of N$415 479, as well as a pension equal to this amount.His pension could increase should the next president earn more than Nujoma does at present.In terms of the bill, the country’s first president will receive a pension equal to the incumbent President’s full salary if it is greater than the amount he earned during his time in office.These amounts will be paid from the State Revenue Fund.Further, the State will pay Nujoma’s medical aid, international and national travel costs to certain limits, a fully-equipped office, three vehicles, six office staff, 10 security personnel and 11 household staff.