Secrecy casts doubt on NEEEB

Secrecy casts doubt on NEEEB‘Vague Bill creates toxic business environment’ Commissioners are given too much power and they should be appointed through an open application process, attendees said. PHILLEPUS UUSIKU







WINDHOEK

The local business community fears that the secretive regime being mooted in the National Equitable Economic Empowerment Bill (NEEEB) with regards to appointing commissioners could be problematic.

These sentiments were made yesterday at the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board’s (NIPDB) private sector stakeholder consultation session, which gave industry players a platform to raise their concerns and suggest recommendations before the Bill is passed in Parliament.

One of the participants recommended that the appointment of commissioners should be done through an open application process to ensure transparency and accountability.

There was also a general consensus that the discretionary powers given to commissioners will allow them to do as they please.

Another participant expressed hope that the Bill will benefit the informal economy in addressing inequalities to narrow the gap between the rich and poor by availing land, health, justice and natural resources.

Abuse of power

The private sector believes in its current format, the NEEEB will promote substantive abuse of power, halt investment, decline economic growth and promote inequality and poverty.

Speaking at the event, NIPDB CEO Nangula Uaandja gave a brief overview of the Bill and responded to questions raised by the participants.

She, however, noted that she doesn’t have answers to all the questions.

Uaandja noted that government created the Bill and that the private sector should partner with it to solve these issues and empower less privileged communities. She added that she agrees with the issues raised and said they will be taken into consideration by the board to ensure that the Bill is inclusive.

The next session is scheduled for next week.