Money woes threaten Harambee 2

OGONE TLHAGEWINDHOEKThe execution of the second Harambee Prosperity Plan will be difficult considering the financial status of the country, a local academic has warned. Academic Omu Kakujaha-Matundu said the government is in a difficult position.“Crafting such a plan is never easy. Now this time around it has been made more difficult by the uncertainties about revenue streams brought about by Covid-19. For the plan to achieve its objectives, it needs funding,” he said.The second phase of HPP will be launched next week, State House spokesperson Alfredo Hengari said on Wednesday.The presidency says the plan could not be launched last month as promised due to consultations that needed to take place.“In order to live up to the pledge of inclusivity as espoused, we extended the round of consultations and validation session with different role players, including with the opposition parties,” he said.In his last cabinet address, President Hage Geingob promised its delivery and said the second phase of the plan would be geared towards economic recovery.He said the new plan would look at how the government can benefit from much-needed private investments in infrastructure, energy and water to create jobs. Dreams deferredLabour commentator Herbert Jauch described the delay in launching the plan as concerning and disappointing. “It is disappointing and the economic crisis is real. Namibians are waiting to hear what the plan is,” Jauch said when approached for comment.He questioned whether the government actually had a strategy to lift the economy out of its Covid-19 slump.“The fact that it is delayed poses the question, do they have a plan? It is disappointing because government promised to launch the plan already,” he said.Blueprint providedJauch also argued that the Covid-19 pandemic should have shown the government where its focus should be.“We have gone a year since the first case of Covid-19 was reported; you had a year to see how it unfolded,” he said.Jauch said the second phase of the plan should be detailed and not merely state grand ideas.“Government needs to set a full concrete plan with clear outcomes. What implementation plan will be in place? It should not just be a statement of intent,” he said.The first plan had five pillars aimed at accelerating government programmes to improve service delivery and grow the economy.

Money woes threaten Harambee 2

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-19

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Money woes threaten Harambee 2

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-19

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