Namibia is reforming the structure of its fisheries and aquaculture management to cut on expenditures, according to the nation's president.
However, the reorganization announcement comes shortly after recently-appointed Fisheries Minister Mac-Albert Hengari – who had only been on the job for one month – was fired due to criminal accusations of rape.
Namibia President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has merged the country’s Ministry of Mining, Fisheries and Marine Resources with that of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform in a bid to cut government expenditures and improve service delivery. Nandi-Ndaitwah said the services under Fisheries and Marine Resources – created in 1991 – will now be under the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform “to improve the management and sustainable development of our fisheries and aquatic resources for the benefit of our national economy.”
As part of the change, Former Fisheries Minister Derek Klazen and his deputy Sylvia Makgone were replaced by Hengari and his deputy Ruth Masake in the new broader role.
The cuts are part of efforts to tackle the country’s growing fiscal deficit, which jumped from 2.4 percent of the gross domestic product FY23/24 to three percent in FY24/25.
“I have decided to establish, abolish some and make several alignments in various government offices, ministries and agencies in order to eradicate duplications, cutting on expenditures and to ensure smooth and effective implementation of our development programs,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said. “I have also merged some ministries and transferred some mandates to other ministries where we can maximize outcomes.”
However, Hengari was fired on 23 April – barely 30 days into his new role – after he was accused of raping a 16-year-old girl five years ago.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said she was relieving him of his position per the constitution of the Republic of Namibia, but she also has yet to announce a replacement for Hengari.
