NCCI accuses govt of reneging on key promises
Increasing divisiveness in the private sector
The absence of change and reform will hamper all efforts to reposition Namibia's economy on a growth trajectory, and at this rate, there really is no place for usual practices, the NCCI warned last week.
The Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) has accused government of backtracking on the Harambee Prosperity Plan's goal to allow the private sector to take the lead in spearheading economic growth and development.
This was said by Daniel Imbili, NCCI Walvis Bay Branch chairperson, on Friday.
During a stakeholder meeting on the national budget with finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi, in Walvis Bay on Friday, Imbili observed an increasing divisiveness in the private sector.
In an apparent dig at the newly-formed rival, the Namibia Local Businesses Association (Naloba), Imbili remarked: "The head of one of Namibia’s largest private sector entities recently questioned why groups that are popping up all over the place, often structured along demographic, linguistic, tribal, and regional lines, are even given credence by some government officials.
"One can only hope and pray that the intent is not to divide, weaken and thereby silence Namibia’s private sector. It is important to not wash dirty linen in public," he said.
Friendly relations
Imbili further advocated for policy reform that would lead to a more business-friendly environment, including a change to some regulations and rules, while scrapping the redundant ones.
"If one scrutinises the Harambee Prosperity Plan II you soon draw a conclusion that government has backtracked on its economic participation strategy, which strategies for the private sector to take a lead role in spearheading economic growth and development.
"And NCCI challenges government, represented here by the Minister of Finance, the director-general of the National Planning Commission, Obeth Kandjoze, and their accompanying public officials, to not only listen attentively, make notes, and respond to comments and questions, but to ensure that this event does not become just another talk shop."
According to him, the absence of change and reform will hamper all efforts to reposition Namibia’s economy on a growth trajectory, and at this rate, there really is no place for usual practices.
What happened to PPPs?
Imbili questioned whether the public-private partnership (PPP) unit in the finance ministry has gone into hibernation and said maybe it would be better if this function is sourced out to the NCCI, which is more than capable of taking up this task.
Historically, the national budget focus has been on defence, education, and social services, with scant attention given to funding adequate infrastructure maintenance and expansion. Just look at the state of schools, clinics, the housing backlog and the lag in infrastructure expansion, including road upgrades," he said.
"Minister Shiimi, isn’t it high time government allows the private sector to do what government has not been able to do? We need more smart partnerships. Has the PPP unit in the Ministry of Finance gone into hibernation?" he asked.
He highlighted further failure in this regard, pointing to the urban and rural ministry’s "retarded" servicing of land for industrial and commercial purposes.
Do better
Meanwhile, he added, entities including the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (Bipa), Namibia Trade Forum, and the Namibia Industrial Development Agency (Nida), under the trade and industrialisation ministry, are hindered by lack of funds.
He said the ministry must routinely “take a lead in steering Bills and spearhead reforms of rules and regulations through parliament, yet the budgetary allocation does not reflect the importance of this ministry.
“As for Nida, the deplorable state of small, medium enterprise business parks and of other properties reflects poor management.”
He concluded that the “NCCI calls for the immediate outsourcing of the property management role and of infrastructure maintenance to the private sector.”
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This was said by Daniel Imbili, NCCI Walvis Bay Branch chairperson, on Friday.
During a stakeholder meeting on the national budget with finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi, in Walvis Bay on Friday, Imbili observed an increasing divisiveness in the private sector.
In an apparent dig at the newly-formed rival, the Namibia Local Businesses Association (Naloba), Imbili remarked: "The head of one of Namibia’s largest private sector entities recently questioned why groups that are popping up all over the place, often structured along demographic, linguistic, tribal, and regional lines, are even given credence by some government officials.
"One can only hope and pray that the intent is not to divide, weaken and thereby silence Namibia’s private sector. It is important to not wash dirty linen in public," he said.
Friendly relations
Imbili further advocated for policy reform that would lead to a more business-friendly environment, including a change to some regulations and rules, while scrapping the redundant ones.
"If one scrutinises the Harambee Prosperity Plan II you soon draw a conclusion that government has backtracked on its economic participation strategy, which strategies for the private sector to take a lead role in spearheading economic growth and development.
"And NCCI challenges government, represented here by the Minister of Finance, the director-general of the National Planning Commission, Obeth Kandjoze, and their accompanying public officials, to not only listen attentively, make notes, and respond to comments and questions, but to ensure that this event does not become just another talk shop."
According to him, the absence of change and reform will hamper all efforts to reposition Namibia’s economy on a growth trajectory, and at this rate, there really is no place for usual practices.
What happened to PPPs?
Imbili questioned whether the public-private partnership (PPP) unit in the finance ministry has gone into hibernation and said maybe it would be better if this function is sourced out to the NCCI, which is more than capable of taking up this task.
Historically, the national budget focus has been on defence, education, and social services, with scant attention given to funding adequate infrastructure maintenance and expansion. Just look at the state of schools, clinics, the housing backlog and the lag in infrastructure expansion, including road upgrades," he said.
"Minister Shiimi, isn’t it high time government allows the private sector to do what government has not been able to do? We need more smart partnerships. Has the PPP unit in the Ministry of Finance gone into hibernation?" he asked.
He highlighted further failure in this regard, pointing to the urban and rural ministry’s "retarded" servicing of land for industrial and commercial purposes.
Do better
Meanwhile, he added, entities including the Business and Intellectual Property Authority (Bipa), Namibia Trade Forum, and the Namibia Industrial Development Agency (Nida), under the trade and industrialisation ministry, are hindered by lack of funds.
He said the ministry must routinely “take a lead in steering Bills and spearhead reforms of rules and regulations through parliament, yet the budgetary allocation does not reflect the importance of this ministry.
“As for Nida, the deplorable state of small, medium enterprise business parks and of other properties reflects poor management.”
He concluded that the “NCCI calls for the immediate outsourcing of the property management role and of infrastructure maintenance to the private sector.”
[email protected]
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