Africa-Press – Namibia. PRESIDENT Hage Geingob has urged all Namibians to get vaccinated against Covid-19 to help the country achieve herd immunity and aid economic recovery.
The president said although the government has started implementing various initiatives to revive the economy, such efforts would only be effective if Namibia reaches herd immunity against Covid-19.
Geingob made these remarks during the last Cabinet meeting for 2021 on Thursday, where he urged ministers to accelerate the implementation of Cabinet decisions meant to aid economic recovery.
“We must note that economic recovery will not be possible if we don’t hold hands and pull in the same direction, as a nation.
“The government can only do so much but if we, as Namibians, do not achieve the desired vaccination rate to secure herd immunity, our recovery efforts will be jeopardised,” he said. He emphasised that the Covid-19 vaccination is especially crucial as it would help the country to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
“Those of you among us who are not vaccinated are reversing the gains we have made in the fight against Covid-19. If we are truly committed to defeating this enemy and returning towards focusing our efforts on nation building and economic development, then we must all be willing to make the sacrifices necessary to ensure victory,” he said.
Geingob listed some of the “decisive actions” he said his administration took to reinvigorate economic growth and resilience, augment food security, and to reduce government expenditure.
These include the launch of the second version of the Harambee Prosperity Plan, the Green Hydrogen and Ammonia project and development and approval of the Sovereign Wealth Fund and funding framework.
The president also listed the auctioning of the government’s fishing quotas, the appointment of the fourth industrial revolution task force, the approval of the National Food and Nutrition Security Policy and the listing of MTC on the Namibian Stock Exchange as some of the achievements of his administration in 2021.
In addition, Geingob made reference to the liquidation of Air Namibia to reduce public debt and state subsidies to loss-making State-owned enterprises as another achievement. The president, therefore, urged ministers to implement all Cabinet decisions and initiatives intended to revive the economy.
“With a commitment to teamwork and unity, we can push ahead towards a brighter horizon where we will be able to restore economic confidence and emerge as a more resilient nation. As we prepare to enter the festive season, let us endeavour, as Cabinet, to continue spearheading efforts aimed at safeguarding the lives of the Namibian people while remaining committed towards the realisation of our national developmental objectives,” he said.
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