2017 a year of rededication – Geingob

2017 a year of rededication – Geingob‘Resilient and innovative approach required’ A tough economic outlook will necessitate difficult debates over limited resources and competing priorities, the president said in his New Year’s message. STAFF REPORTER



President Hage Geingob, in his new year’s message, said the year 2017 should be one of rededication.

“Our single-minded resolution as government is to rededicate ourselves to the full implementation of our goals and objectives during 2017. This is therefore, the Year of Rededication,” said Geingob.

He said challenges experienced in 2016 would persist in the new year and a resilient and innovative approach would be required to mitigate the severity of those challenges.

“The tough economic outlook will require us to draw on the experiences and lessons learned during 2016 and to engage in difficult debates over limited resources and competing priorities,” he said.

According to Geingob, the government has prioritised a number of initiatives for the year 2017 such as increasing monthly pensions to N$1 200 by June as well as providing subsidised ploughing services, fertiliser and seed to communal farmers.

A second land conference will be held by September 2017, while the government has promised to service land for residential purposes, with 6 000 plots and 5 000 housing units planned for the new year.

According to Geingob, the Public Procurement Act will come into effect in February and will enable a computerised procurement system that will enhance transparency.

The president also had a message for sports fans. “The state of affairs in the sport sector remains a concern to all sport-loving Namibians. To this end the line ministry will conclude its review of the Sports Act and policy, aiming to define and prioritise the national sport codes, which will guide funding and development,” he said.

“I commend those Namibians who have excelled in boxing and athletics, in particular the paralympians. The uniformed personnel who continue to serve selflessly. Similarly, I thank all Namibians for what we have achieved together throughout 2016. We would not have been able to achieve the milestones we are celebrating without your personal dedicated involvement. Neither can we realise our 2017 goals without our rededication to the cause.”