Maravi

(NEW ERA) National Development Plan 3 review after 18 months

National Development Plan 3 review after 18 months
by Catherine Sasman
07 Oct 2009

WINDHOEK – The second development plan (NDP 2) for the period 2001 to 2006 was geared to sustainable and equitable improvement in the quality of life of Namibian citizens, and the third development plan has the same in view.

The NDP 2 envisaged a reduction in inequalities in income distribution, with a Gini-coefficient – an instrument measuring inequalities – targeted to be reduced from 0.67 to less than 0.6 at the end of the 2006 period.

The NDP 3 foresees a further reduction of the Gini-coefficient, further reducing social and economic disparities.

Equality and social welfare

To achieve this, Government has provided old age grants to 129 228 beneficiaries, disability grants to 19 671 beneficiaries, and funeral benefits in 2 713 cases.

Basic State grants were increased from N$370 to N$450, and the maternity benefit was increased by a 100% - from N$3000 to N$6000. Sick leave benefits were increased by 65% of the basic wage during the first six months of sick leave, and 50% for the remaining 18 months to 75% and 60% respectively.

Death benefits, retirement and disability grants were increased from N$3000 to N$3500.

Government has further conducted awareness raising campaigns on the rights of the elderly, with all 13 regions participating in the International Day of the Older Persons in October 2007, and regional committees for the elderly were established.

A first-ever family conference was also held in May 2008 in commemoration of the International Day of Families.

Furthermore, a budget for subsidies or financial assistance for registered welfare organisations was secured with 20 welfare organisations receiving financial assistance.

The National Planning Commission (NPC) progress report stated that much progress has been done in the area of youth skills development, the construction of sports facilities, as well as the promotion of arts during the period of April 2007 to September 2008.

Youths trained in business management increased from 721 to 2235 in 2008; sports codes increased from five to 10; and people having access to arts activities are reported to have increased from 41 845 to 44 048.

Government further reported having reviewed a number of legislation and policies to achieve greater gender parity.

These include reviews on the 1996 National Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy revised in 2007; the Children’s Act of 1960 that was replaced by the Child Care and Protection Act; the 1997 National Gender Policy, and the Labour Act in 2007.

Namibia has also signed the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Gender and Development in 2008.

Government reported that women are now occupying 34% seats in the National Assembly, compared to 28% in 2004. The target for 2012 is 35%.

It lamented that the situation for women at local tiers of governance has remained unchanged. Women representation at local authority level is 43%.

But, it acknowledged, despite some progress in representation, the situation for women on the ground remains precarious with unabated gender-based violence, often fueled by harmful cultural practices, as well as more women reported to be poor, and especially vulnerable to HIV infections.

Quality of life

Great strides have been made in Government’s anti-retroviral treatment programme with the assistance of donor support. In 2008, 56 056 people received ARTs, which far exceeds the national target of 30 000.

Futhermore, the HIV infection rate has declined from 19.9% reported in 2006, to 17.8% in 2008 as a result of a decentralised multi-sectoral response.

The number of tuberculosis (TB) cases has also declined from 15 244 in 2007 to 13 737 the following year. This has gone alongside an increased success rate of TB treatment, with immunisation coverage expanding to 80%.

Government further reported an intensification in interventions to reduce rural poverty levels. These included the rehabilitation of 113 water points in nine regions, the construction of 46 water points in five regions (Kunene, Otjozondjupa, Omaheke, Oshikoto, and Omusati) and the rehabilitation of 50 boreholes in the Kunene Region.

And during the 2007/2008 financial year, the Ministry of Gender and Child Welfare funded 85 community projects.

Government further has livestock projects targeting the rural poor with various institutions operating these projects on a rotational basis. Here, community members receive livestock, which they are expected to either return to be forwarded for further distribution, or to pay proceeds from the sale of these animals.

Government has entered into agreements with the European Commission, the Government of the United States of America through the Millennium Challenge Account, and the Government of Germany to address rural poverty in Namibia.

Human resources and knowledge-based economy

The University of Namibia (UNAM) reported that it had produced 583 graduates at degree level in 2007, compared to 490 the previous year.

The university has embarked on construction work to expand its campus in northern Namibia, and its faculty of engineering and information technology has commenced.

There has also been an increase in female intakes at vocational training centres in technical and commercial trades.

The Ministry of Education has deployed 98 volunteer teachers for mathematics, science and English in the northern regions of the country, and Namcol’s professional programmes were accredited with the Namibia Qualifications Authority (NQA).

The NPC reported that it has established the web GIS and Web NamInfo to aid integrated information management and access by government officials to official statistics.

The Polytechnic of Namibia reported that it has now two training programmes – a Bachelor of Geo-Information Technology and Statistics and Applied Mathematics – to improve data production and management. These courses started in February last year.

And through the Information Communication and Technology (ICT) literacy initiative, 230 civil servants attended an IT virtual learning center courses, and Government entered into an agreement with the Polytechnic of Namibia to provide ICT literacy to more civil servants.

Peace, security and political stability

Government reported that political parties participating in elections have increased from nine to 12 in 2008.
There were three formal election complaints lodged during the period of review, one relating to a regional constituency by-election at Omuthiya, and two in respect of local authority by-elections. The latter elections were rescheduled.

By September 2008, the target for the percentage per regional court was exceeded by 1.8%, while the situation for district courts remained the same.

The Office of the Ombudsman carried out field missions to 12 towns and kicked off with an extensive human rights information campaign.

During the 2007/2008 financial year, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) received 900 complaints of alleged corrupt practices. Thirty of these cases have been forwarded to the Officer of the Prosecutor General.
About 1314 complaints related to unfair administration, with 65% of these cases having been resolved.

Four complaints related to the environment, which the ACC investigated.

Between April and September 2008, the ACC received 584 reports of alleged corrupt practices, of which 32 were forwarded to the Prosecutor General.

During the period of review, the ACC set up a regional office in Oskakati, and a feasibility study is in the process to consider if the ACC should set up a head office.

The Ministry of Home Affairs took mobile registration points for identity documents to various regions. It has also completed feasibility studies for the establishment of construction at the Kashamane, Dobe, Nkurenkuru and Singalamwe border posts.

Immigration offices at Ondangwa and Rundu have been completed, and the design for a new border control management system has been finalised, with the installation thereof done in March 2009.

Similarly, new border posts and crossing points have been identified.

During April 2007 to September 2008, the Namibian Police reported a “dramatic decrease” in reported crimes – a 78% reduction, from 424 028 cases to 93 438.

It reported that of all the cases reported, 37.4% were conclusively investigated. The target of the NDP 3 is 50% clearance, and the police indicated that this is likely to be met.

Labels: DEVELOPMENT, NAMIBIA

posted by MrK @ 12:31 AM