Africa-Press – Namibia. President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s delayed appointment of regional governors has sparked criticism over indecisiveness and concerns about her administration’s efficiency and leadership.
The president extended the tenure of the current remaining seven governors from the previous administration to 20 June for three months after their tenure ended on 21 March.
Zambezi governor Lawrence Sampofu yesterday told The Namibian that the president had extended their term last Friday from 20 June to 30 June.
Political analyst Hening Melber says another extension suggests that thorough homework has not been done.
“The governors’ terms were extended by three months. This should have been more than enough time for consultations and a decision-making process to reach a conclusion on who then should replace them and who might be re-appointed,” he says.
Melber says the fact that this has not been finalised is a bad omen in terms of efficient governance and also worrying when it comes to internal party dynamics.
He says Nandi-Ndaitwah risks being perceived as a “toothless and indecisive lioness” for such delays in running an administration.
Political analyst Sakaria Johannes says the delays signal that the president is still undecided.
“The extension could be for her to get time to decide on and appoint governors,” he says.
Political commentator Ndumba Kamwanyah says the president’s reluctance to appoint new governors paints a bad picture of her administration in terms of efficiency.
“We all know her administration came under fire previously for not doing proper vetting, but her extension of governors’ terms does signal a problem as people expect her to be decisive and effective.
“We do not know the reason for the delay. It could be many things, but it does paint a bad picture of her leadership,” he says.
Kamwanyah says the president seems to be indecisive as she continues to rely on the late president Hage Geingob’s administrative team.
He says she needs to appoint her own administration and the delay is creating restlessness among communities.
Kamwanyah says he does not see why the current governors should be retained, citing previous failures in addressing issues.
The remaining governors are Sampofu, Erongo governor Neville Andre, Omusati governor Erginus Endjala, Oshana governor Elia Irimari, Omaheke governor Pijoo Nganate, //Kharas governor Aletha Fredericks, and Ohangwena governor Sebastian Ndeitunga.
Some of these governors have served since 2015 (such as Endjala), while others have served for less than five years.
The president in March appointed the following seven new governors: Verna Sinimbo to the Kavango West region, Julius Hambyuka to the Kavango East region, Sam Nujoma (Jr) to the Khomas region, John //Khmuseb to the Otjozondjupa region, Riaan McNab to the Hardap region, Vipuakuje Muharukua to the Kunene region, and Sacky Kathindi to the Oshikoto region.
Leader of the of the official opposition Imms Nashinge is unfazed by the extension.
“There is no harm in extending governors’ terms unless regions were being left without governors,” he says.
Popular Democratic Movement leader McHenry Venaani says the appointment of governors should be done through elections.
“It’s her business and prerogative. But we must have elected governors for them to carry the meaning of decentralisation. The current situation is relegating them to the old colonial style of commissioner, just appointed with no legitimacy,” he says.
Action Democratic Movement president Erastus Shuumbwa says although the extension of governors’ terms may indicate indecisiveness, he is of the view that the president could still be doing her due diligence before she appoints new governors.
“We must remember that she is still new in office, and we should let her take her time to appoint new people. She is probably busy vetting who to appoint, hence the extensions to ensure that regions are not left without a governor,” he says.
All People’s Party (APP) president Ambrosius Kumbwa says the president is given the power to appoint governors by Article 110 of the Constitution, as well as prolong their terms.
He is of the view that the extension could be due to ongoing consultations with regional councils and traditional leaders to ensure she appoints the right people.
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