29 land conference resolutions completed
29 land conference resolutions completed

29 land conference resolutions completed

Ongoing initiatives include formalisation of informal settlements through implementation of a flexible land tenure system.
Ellanie Smit
ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK



Of the 174 resolutions adopted at the second national land conference held in October last year, 29 have been completed and 145 are in progress.

This was said by Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila in her contribution to the national budget debate in the National Assembly this week.

“The ongoing initiatives include formalisation of informal settlements through implementation of a flexible land tenure system.”

According to her the budget allocation to these programmes is supplemented by large investments made through public financial institutions such as the Development Bank of Namibia, Agribank and National Housing Enterprise, local authorities and the Government Institutions Pension Fund.

Reforms agreed at the land conference are aimed at transforming the ownership of agricultural land, improving agricultural production and productivity, and broadening access to residential land and housing.



NEEEF

According to Kuugongelwa-Amadhila the empowerment efforts pursued through land reform are supplemented by the development of a National Equitable Economic Empowerment Bill which has been approved by cabinet and is on course to be tabled in the National Assembly once the legal drafting is finalised.

“This framework, once implemented, will spur greater and sustainable economic growth, employment creation and a more equitable distribution of economic benefits and opportunities” she said



Defence

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila further defended the N$6.2 billion budget allocation to the defence ministry and said the criticism of this budget allocation needs to be addressed.

She said the claims that defence is overfunded at the expense of social and economic sectors are unfounded and contradicted by budget figures.

According to her defence allocations only enable the NDF to maintain basic capabilities to fulfil its mandate.

“It should also be noted that the civil operations of the ministry of defence directly promote economic growth through their business activities and protection of our natural resources.”

She said individual cases of reported misconduct by NDF members have always been dealt with, in line with existing legal provisions, and such cases do not warrant the sweeping condemnation of the NDF.

“The unfounded allegation that there is a militarisation of our state is also unfounded. Namibia is a democratic republic where people's rights are respected and protected, and where governance is based on the rule of law,” she stated.

Comments

Namibian Sun 2024-11-25

No comments have been left on this article

Please login to leave a comment

Katima Mulilo: 19° | 32° Rundu: 19° | 36° Eenhana: 20° | 36° Oshakati: 25° | 35° Ruacana: 23° | 36° Tsumeb: 22° | 34° Otjiwarongo: 21° | 33° Omaruru: 20° | 35° Windhoek: 21° | 33° Gobabis: 23° | 33° Henties Bay: 15° | 19° Swakopmund: 14° | 17° Walvis Bay: 14° | 22° Rehoboth: 23° | 34° Mariental: 20° | 36° Keetmanshoop: 13° | 32° Aranos: 22° | 36° Lüderitz: 15° | 23° Ariamsvlei: 14° | 32° Oranjemund: 14° | 20° Luanda: 25° | 26° Gaborone: 22° | 36° Lubumbashi: 18° | 28° Mbabane: 18° | 35° Maseru: 16° | 30° Antananarivo: 17° | 28° Lilongwe: 22° | 33° Maputo: 22° | 38° Windhoek: 21° | 33° Cape Town: 16° | 19° Durban: 21° | 27° Johannesburg: 19° | 32° Dar es Salaam: 26° | 32° Lusaka: 19° | 32° Harare: 19° | 30° #REF! #REF!