Withdrawal of fishing quota

DISGRUNTLED VOTER WRITES:

I had listened with keen interest when Mr. Lesley Gariseb was speaking over “Kaisames” on 25 August 2021.

He explained thoroughly how the company was established and granted fishing rights with excellent intentions and objectives. The initial purpose of the Hompa establishment was to assist the Namibia Traditional Authorities Trust, registered as T434/18, with some funding, which the government can’t carry alone.

I personally tried to write to the Chairman, Chief /Gáseb, Chief Kambazembi, the spokesman, Chief Fillemon Nangolo, Mr. Albert Bamm, head of communications and ACC, etc., in terms of Section 5 of the Traditional Authorities Act No. 5 of 2000, “which deals with Community Trust Funds”.

The respective traditional authorities should give audited financial statements to the communities they lead. This is not happening, and it appears that the traditional authorities are keeping these financial reports “top secret”. Why are they reluctant to make them public for public scrutiny? This borders purely on the squandering of public resources.

According to Mr. Gariseb’s radio interview, the objective of these funds has changed to benefit the broad community through community-centered socio-economic development projects.

Now, the question begs: is Hompa Management, comprised of four board members, really comfortable with the outcomes? They had rather opted to convene close-door meetings with the traditional authorities. Why should they try and protect the wrongdoings of each other while the poor rural constituencies are crying?

The Hompa Management must be mindful of the fact that they are becoming accomplished (sic) of these wrongdoings. All in all, this encroaches on mismanagement and may warrant the withdrawal of their fishing rights. On the other hand, we are preaching service delivery, good governance, open-door policies, transparency, etc.

The Hompa Management doesn’t even have direct contact addresses, viz., telephone numbers or email addresses, where one can take them on directly.

During the familiarization visit of H.E. President Nangolo Mbumba to the south to introduce himself to the traditional leaders on 4 April 2024, Chief Hanse of the Hardap region also didn’t mince his words regarding the administration, operations, and management of the Hompa fishing quota. He expressed bitter words toward their administration in general.

I’m of the opinion that after the allocation of fishing rights, their operations should be placed under constant observation and monitoring and not be left to the devil-may-care demeanour. The traditional authorities should be compelled to give annual financial reports for scrutiny, because that is one of the reasons they cling to power.

The other primary aim of the company was to look at challenges in rural areas through preferential treatment for development tenders and contracts. The other top secret is that 52 traditional authorities are receiving an allowance of N$2 500 per month. These are the things that are pouring oil on the fire and are abetting tribal division and tribal conflicts among the respective communities.

* Rubrieke, meningstukke, briewe en SMS’e deur lesers en meningvormers weerspieël nie noodwendig die siening van Republikein of Namibia Media Holdings (NMH) nie. As mediahuis onderskryf NMH die etiese kode vir Namibiese media, soos toegepas deur die Media-ombudsman.