Lack of asset register enabling looting – Venaani
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani says the lack of an asset register on the part of government is a means to enable looting and a condemnation of President Hage Geingob’s 10-year presidency.
Government, however, argues that the absence of an asset register does not mean it is unaware of the assets it owns, with the Treasury saying public assets are worth an estimated N$70 billion.
Promotes looting
Venaani made the comments during an interview held with Namibian Sun recently and said the lack of the register made it easier for individuals to loot valuable property from government, notably houses.
“How do you answer? You have been running the country for 10 years, but there is no register – a proper register of note. The mere fact that there is no asset register tells you that people are looting. It is one of the looting systems that is happening,” Venaani claimed.
Individuals in government were able to acquire properties below market value because of the non-existence of the asset register, Venaani added.
“People are looting government properties, houses; where have you found a house in Suiderhof costing N$320 000? These things are happening under our noses, so the governance architecture needs to be nipped in the bud,” he said.
Work in progress
Ministry of works spokesperson Julius Ngwedha dismissed Venaani’s claims, saying government is aware of the properties it owns but is working on making improvements to its asset registry system.
“We do have an asset register; we know which properties we own,” Ngwedha said.
The Office of the Auditor General (AG) last year questioned government’s record-keeping activities following an audit of the ministry of works.
“The government of Namibia does not have an asset register where all fixed properties and vehicles are recorded. Thus, it would be difficult to determine the number and value of government vehicles and immovable properties,” an AG report into the ministry’s books noted.
Works and transport minister John Mutorwa had previously stated that the asset register would be ready by the end of 2020, but this has still not come to fruition.
In an update, Mutorwa told the National Assembly last year that the process of verifying fixed assets for the purpose of finalising the asset register is ongoing.
Still counting
Finance spokesperson Wilson Shikoto was quoted by The Namibian last year, saying government has been able to establish almost N$70 billion worth of assets so far but is still counting.
“As of February 2023, the electronic records indicate a total estimated valuation of movable assets at N$20 billion, while immovable assets are at N$47,41 billion,” Shikoto reportedly said.
These figures only account for those of all Office of the Managing Agents (OMAs), which have input data about government assets.
Government, however, argues that the absence of an asset register does not mean it is unaware of the assets it owns, with the Treasury saying public assets are worth an estimated N$70 billion.
Promotes looting
Venaani made the comments during an interview held with Namibian Sun recently and said the lack of the register made it easier for individuals to loot valuable property from government, notably houses.
“How do you answer? You have been running the country for 10 years, but there is no register – a proper register of note. The mere fact that there is no asset register tells you that people are looting. It is one of the looting systems that is happening,” Venaani claimed.
Individuals in government were able to acquire properties below market value because of the non-existence of the asset register, Venaani added.
“People are looting government properties, houses; where have you found a house in Suiderhof costing N$320 000? These things are happening under our noses, so the governance architecture needs to be nipped in the bud,” he said.
Work in progress
Ministry of works spokesperson Julius Ngwedha dismissed Venaani’s claims, saying government is aware of the properties it owns but is working on making improvements to its asset registry system.
“We do have an asset register; we know which properties we own,” Ngwedha said.
The Office of the Auditor General (AG) last year questioned government’s record-keeping activities following an audit of the ministry of works.
“The government of Namibia does not have an asset register where all fixed properties and vehicles are recorded. Thus, it would be difficult to determine the number and value of government vehicles and immovable properties,” an AG report into the ministry’s books noted.
Works and transport minister John Mutorwa had previously stated that the asset register would be ready by the end of 2020, but this has still not come to fruition.
In an update, Mutorwa told the National Assembly last year that the process of verifying fixed assets for the purpose of finalising the asset register is ongoing.
Still counting
Finance spokesperson Wilson Shikoto was quoted by The Namibian last year, saying government has been able to establish almost N$70 billion worth of assets so far but is still counting.
“As of February 2023, the electronic records indicate a total estimated valuation of movable assets at N$20 billion, while immovable assets are at N$47,41 billion,” Shikoto reportedly said.
These figures only account for those of all Office of the Managing Agents (OMAs), which have input data about government assets.
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