Africa-Press – Namibia. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Friday questioned agriculture ministry acting executive director Ben Haraseb about a consultancy firm that allegedly paid N$4 million to assist in integrating former Agribusdev staff into the ministry.
Nandi-Ndaitwah raised the matter during her familiarisation visit to the Sikondo Green Scheme in the Kavango West region, where she was welcomed by staff and the regional leadership.
During her familiarisation visits to four green schemes in the two Kavango regions from Thursday to Friday, affected workers expressed concern over the prolonged delay by the ministry in resolving their employment status.
Speaking on behalf of green scheme workers in the two regions, Marianne Shiyambi informed the president that since the dissolution of Agribusdev they had been left in the dark about their future.
“We are having a burning issue regarding Agribusdev and we do not know if your high office is aware. In 2020, we heard that Agribusdev is dissolved and then in 2023 we again heard that the Agribusdev board has been dissolved,” she said.
Shiyambi said they had been hearing conflicting updates over the years, including reports in early 2024 about a consultancy firm’s involvement, from which they had seen no results.
She revealed that a letter sent to the prime minister’s office by them in August this year regarding the issue also received no response.
Shiyambi highlighted their poor working conditions, such as housing and transport allowances of N$176 and N$133, which have remained unchanged since 2015.
“What dream house or car can I buy with N$176 or N$133?” she asked, stressing workers’ concerns over job security and lack of recognition.
Sikondo Farm Manager Maxwell Nghidinwa echoed these concerns, saying low morale and anxiety were affecting workers’ productivity and mental health.
Meanwhile, the president questioned Haraseb on when the consultancy was hired.
He initially responded that it was in May, before changing his response to June.
When asked what had happened since 2021, Haraseb cites legislative challenges and the ministry’s request for legal assistance from the attorney general.
Nandi-Ndaitwah instructed minister of agriculture, fisheries, water and land reform Inge Zaamwani-Kamwi to take charge of the matter, criticising the prolonged inaction.
“You cannot take a decision in 2021 and up to now people are suffering. Imagine if you were in the same position,” she said.
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