201012011

STATEMENT OF VOTE 08 FOR 2010/2011 PRESENTED BY THE

MINISTER OF DEFENCE, HON MAJ GEN (RTD) CHARLES DNP
NAMOLOH, MP, AT THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON 30TH APRIL
2010

Honourable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee

Honourable Members of this August House

1. It is my honour and privilege to present to this August House,

Vote 08 for the Financial Year 2010/2011, as well as highlight
matters related to national defense and security. Before I
proceed, I would like to thank the Minister of Finance, Hon
Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila and her team for a well-
elaborated budget that addresses pertinent challenges facing
our nation.

Hon. Chairperson of the Whole House Committee

Hon. Members of this August House

2. There are indications that the international security situation

is changing towards evident multi-polarity and relaxation of
tension between major powers. Significant readjustment which
has a calming effect on the rest of the world is being observed.
The political security situation in the continent and the SADC
Region in particular is relatively stable. Various forms of
multilateral and bilateral cooperation are used as mechanisms

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 foster unity, trust and understanding. The bilateral
engagement between Namibia and all her neighbours as well as
multilateral meetings of SADC, African Union and United
Nations are some of the mechanisms used to strengthen
international peace and cooperation.

3. Despite this commendable progress so observed during the

year, there are retrogressive events affecting our continent. The
continuing instability in Cote d' Ivoire, the coup d'etat in Niger
and the uncertainty in Sudan as well as the threats posed by
'---
the Somali pirates are some of the current events that should
worry us. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the peace
effort between that country and her neighbours seems to have
paved the way for peace and stability in the Great Lake Region,
however there are still armed groups which pose a danger to
the country and people as demonstrated by the brief
occupation by armed groups in the town of Mbandaka in
Equatorial Province, as well as the continuous killings of
innocent civilians by armed groups in that country.

Hon Chairperson of the Whole House Committee

Hon Members

4. We live in a rapidly changing and unpredictable world where

future events cannot be predicted with a degree of certainty.
We can however influence future outcome with correct decision

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 we take at present. Natural calamities such as earth quake,
volcanoes, tsunamis and many others come without warnings.
There are many recent examples. Likewise, man-made
calamities such as war come without warning, leaving less time
for preparation. History taught us that those who are less
prepared are heavily penalized. We do not like to pay that price.

5. Defence acts like an insurance. It is prepared for both the

present and for the unforeseen future events. Our founding
fathers who wrote our Constitution may have thought about
this by assigning the mission of the NDF as stipulated in
Chapter 15, Article 118 of the Namibian Constitution is to
"defend the territory and national interests of Namibia".At the
time the Constitution was written, the future looked bright as it
is today, but the founding fathers knew that the future is
unpredictable and the nation needs a capability to deal with
the unexpected. Thus the main task of the Defence Force
remains to defend the Republic and its interests, other tasks
remain secondary.

6. Many of our citizens understand and appreciate the role of our

Defence Force. They know that defence capability takes time to
build and that our soldiers need to train and rehearse regularly
for their roles. They are also aware that this cost money but
that it is the cost we have to pay for a secure future that means

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 to have appropriate equipment, to maintain them and to train
and care for our troops.

7. There are also few in our society who hold opposing views. I
respect their democratic right to express their views. When our
citizens including Police Officers were killed in Kavango Region,
they remained silent. When NDF members took hot pursuit
operation into Angola as a means to protect our sovereignty
and citizens, they criticize the NDF.

8. To these compatriots as one of them wrote, NDF members are

"large number employed just to have nothing to do". They
forget that the main role of the NDF is to defend the territory
and interests of Namibia. This means they have to fight wars if
need be and sacrifice their precious lives. They should know
that defence capabilities are build during peace time. This is
true, whether in Europe or America. We complain that our
soccer team, Brave Warriors did not win because they did not
have time to prepare or that we do not have professional
players. In military too, you need professional soldiers who
train and rehearse regularly with their equipment, but not
seasonal or part-time who get employed for other tasks and
come to military task when the need arises.

9. The NDF has a constitutional mission to defend the territory

and interests of Namibia. For us who are entrusted with these
noble tasks will make all efforts to create a credible capability.
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 The secondary role of the Force is to assist civil communities
and civil powers in case of emergency and to bring peace to
parts of the world where there is none. The records are there to
see as from 1993 up to now NDFmembers actively take part in
UN and AU missions. The assistance rendered to communities
during flood, draught and many others are well documented.
The decaying infrastructures that need repair were stated by
the Hon Members of this August House. All these need money
and that is what we have budgeted for.

10. To streamline the functions of the Ministry of Defence and

enhance its efficiencyand effectiveness, the Ministry of Defence
has produced policy and administrative documents. Among
these documents is the Defence Policywhich was tabled to this
August House, early this year and the launch of the Ministry of
Defence Strategic Plan, last year. The Ministry of Defence
Strategic Plan is based on four pillars, which are aimed among
others to enhance operational excellence through efficient
business process and capability building by improving the
quality of human resources, infrastructures and facilities. To
achieve these objectives, the Ministry of Defence carries out the
following programmes: Operations, International Deployment,
Construction and Research & Development.

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 During the past Financial Year, the Ministry of Defence
received funding for its budgeted programmes and was spent
as follows:

Programme Allocated Expenditure Variance

Budget
Operations 2,137,116,000 2,127,300,895 9,185,105
International
Deployment 36,296,000 25,610,955 10,685,045
Construction
Research & 420,000,000 417,033,220 2,966,780
Development
Total 2,593,412,000 2,569,945,070 23,466,930

OPERATION PROGRAMME

11. Operation is defmed by some authors as the creation of goods

and services and includes a set of activities that create value by
transforming inputs into outputs. The services provided by the
Namibia Defence Force consist of mainly defending the country
by fighting a war if need be, assist the citizens in case of
.emergencies, and to keep peace within and outside our
borders. The Ministry of Defence inputs into operation include
policy guidelines, provision of resources such as human and
material, training, health, acquisition of equipment and

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 recruitment of personnel. These inputs are transformed into
outputs which amongst others include the production of a well-
trained and equipped force that will excel in its service delivery.

Operation Programme for this Financial Year will mainly

include the followingactivities:
a. Recruitment and Training
b. Aid to CivilAuthorities and Communities
c. Terms and Conditions of Service
d. Health Matters
e. Transportation
f. Acquisition of Weaponry and Equipment
g. Renovation of infrastructure and other services

RECRmTMENT AND TRAINING

12. During the 2009/2010, the MOD has recruited about 1600
recruits into the NDF including 600 Children of the Liberation
Struggle who have undergone military training at Oluno
Military Base. During this Financial Year, the Ministry of
Defence is expected once agam to recruit 1000 young
Namibians between the ages of 18 - 25 years old and 600
children of the Liberation Struggle. As the generations of the
pre-independence era troops are phasing out, young blood will
be needed to replace them. Within the next five years, about
600 NDF members will retire. The number of members leaving

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 the force during this period IS expected to be high due to
retirement, natural attrition, resignation and other causes.
More recruits will therefore be needed to replace them in order
to maintain a reasonable capacity. Funds will also be needed
for training and maintenance of the force. As we train, we equip
them with new weapons, provide accommodation, feed, dress
and pay them. Training is a necessity to impart new skills and
knowledge needed to operate new weaponry and equipment in
a modern war setting. We should also modernize our training
institutions and build specialized ones. The amount spent on
training since 2005 up to now is about 8.3% of total budget on
average while for salary is on average 57% of total budget for
the same period.

AID TO CIVIL AUTHORITIES AND CIVIL COMMUNITIES

13. In fulfilling their secondary roles that of giving assistance to

our citizens in case of natural or man-made calamities,
members of the NDF are ever ready to assist the citizens of the
Land of the Brave. NDF members have recently in conjunction
with the Directorate of Emergency Management in the Officeof
the Prime Minister, participated in the mitigation in the
provision of necessary assistance to communities affected by
floods, drought and other natural calamities such as
vaccination campaign against outbreak of measles in Kunene
Region. They have also. assisted with the transportation of

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 medicines to inaccessible areas in order for our health workers
from the Ministry of Health and Social Services to provide
needed medicines to communities in those areas. We have
received commends for a job well-done from the communities
and local governments. I want to assure this August House
that Members of the NDF remain ready to render assistance to
our citizens anytime as equipment at our disposal could allow.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

Hon Chairperson of the Whole House Committee

Hon Members

14. First, I would like to thank you for understanding the plight of
our men and women in uniform regarding the need to improve
their living conditions as was recently reported by the
Parliamentary Standing Committee on International Relation,
Defence and Security. I would also like to inform you that
renovations were done on several infrastructures while some
such as the building of new base at Oluno were delayed due to
among others flooding, which necessitated the elevation of the
area before construction can start. It is only after that, that the
infrastructure will be built, starting in June 2010 pending the
approval of the budget by this August House.

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15. Chapter 15, Article 118 of the Constitution of the Republic of
Namibia, made a provision for the establishmen t of the
Namibian Defence Force by Act of Parliament with the mission
to defend the territory and national interests of Namibia. This
is the basis of the establishment of the Namibian Defence
Force. In order for members of the NDF to perform this noble
and patriotic task successfully, they should be taken care of by
providing them with suitable living conditions which include
accommodation, dressing and remunerations. The renovation
of bases and the construction of training institutions are aimed
to addressing this.

HEALTHCARE

16. The Ministry of Defence will not be able to fulfill its roles and
functions without fit and healthy personnel. The Ministry of
Defence, through the Directorate of Defence Health Services
ensure that military personnel receive comprehensive, efficient
and quality medical service by providing them preventative,
curative and rehabilitative patient care in accordance with the
principles of Primary Health Care (PHC) and develop new
military health strategies for the future. Collaboration and
coordination are done with the Ministry of Health and Social
Services and other Stakeholders in health care delivery to our
personnel.

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17. To address the health needs of NDF members a Voluntary
Counseling and Testing Centre was opened at Rundu in July
2009 and one Anti-Retroviral Clinic was opened at Army
Headquarters in Grootfontein in March 2009. All these centres
are run and managed by our own members and they were
renovated with help of United States of Defence (DoD)through
our implementing partners Societyfor Family Health (SFH).

The Ministry of Defence successfully and timely handles

pre/post-deployment medical examination including HIV/AIDS
test on voluntarily basis for NDF contingents to UN Peace
Support Operations. Immunization against communicable
diseases for members bound for missions or courses abroad.
The Ministry conducts pre-recruitment comprehensive medical
examinations including HIV test on voluntary basis on
potential candidates earmarked to be recruited in the force.
Recruits receive immunization against Tetanus and Hepatitis
A+B during training. Surveys on health issues such as HIV
zero prevalence, knowledge, practice and attitude about TB and
Malaria amongst service members are some of the areas the
ministry intends to embark upon.

TRANSPORTATION

18. Our country is large and sparsely populated. This means that
to perform its functions adequately, the Ministry of Defence

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 ranks transport among the top priorities. In case of war or
disaster relief operations both road and air transport will be a
major requirement. The country need air transport for fast
troop mobility throughout our country. Air transport will also
be needed for quick reaction and search and rescue.
Transportation at sea is also a military necessity, besides the,
protection of marine resources the country will need to procure
and maintain dedicated naval vessels and equipment.

NDF WEAPONRY AND EQUIPMENT

19. Material and resources must be acquired to complement

human resources because no matter the bravery and
skillfulness of the troops, if they are ill-equipped they cannot
fulfill their roles properly. Similarly the determining factor in
battle is the men and women behind the equipment. It can
therefore be said, that weaponry and personnel are
complementary while training is the catalyst that enables the
ultimate success of service and their instruments in battle.

FARMING

20. Last year, I informed this August House that the Ministry of
Defence has completed a professional study to allow the
commercialization of MOD farms. I am pleased to state here
that the Business Plan for Commercialization of the MOD

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 farms into Agro Tour Development (Pty) Ltd was submitted to
the Cabinet Committee on State Owned Enterprises and later
to the Cabinet for its consideration and approval. Now the
approval by Cabinet was obtained and Agro Tour Development
(Pty)Ltd will be formed and will become one of the subsidiaries
of August 26 Holding Company (Pty) Ltd, which is a 1000/0
Government owned company. This business undertaking will
require a capital injection of N$5 million. The company is
expected to generate revenues and food supplement for the
soldiers.

Hon Chairperson of the Whole House Committee

Hon Members

I have now the honour to request for Operation Programme for

this Financial Year, the amount of Two Billion Four Hundred
Twenty-Seven Million Four Hundred Thousand Namibian
Dollars (N$2,427,400,000).

INTERNATIONAL DEPLOYMENT PROGRAMME

21. Our participants in peace support missions under the auspices

of the United Nations started way back in 1993 when Namibia
sent Company strong of Peaces Keepers to the United Nations
peace mission in Cambodia. Later on Namibia peace keepers
participated in UN peace mission in Angola, and Liberia where

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 contingents of Battalion strength were sent. In order to ensure
constant participation in Peace Support Operations, the
Government has earmarked some contingents for both UNI AU
and SADC missions in the form of UN Standby Arrangement
and the SADC Standby Force.

UNITED NATIONS PEACE SUPPORT OPERATIONS

Honourable Chairperson of the Whole House Committee

Honourable Members

22. The participants in Peace Support Operations require capacity

building which will be achieved through individual and
collective training. In this regard, the NDF participated in
Regional Training Exercises since 1997. Last year, SADC
Regional Exercise GOLFINHOhosted by the Republics of South
Africa and Namibia respectively. The aim of these exercises is
to enhance Regional Peace Keeping capacity.

Namibia still has Military Observers (MILOB) and UN Staff

Officers serving in the following countries on a rotational basis:
a. Liberia
b. Ivory Coast
c. Chad
d. Sudan

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 These peace makers who include both men and women officers
are doing our country proud by bringing smiles on the faces of
those who are affected by war and armed conflicts. We should
therefore give them the support they deserve.

23. As I have informed this August House already, Namibia has

been engaged in the preparation of a Battalion strength
contingent to be deployed to the UN mission in the Central
Africa Republic and Chad (MINURCAT). As of now, the
Contingent Owned Equipment (CaE) has already been shipped
to the port of Douala in Cameroon in February 2010. Our
troops have completed all the required procedures and are on
standby, ready for anytime deployment to Chad. The
deployment of MINURCATis however currently on hold, the
next move depends on the UN and the Government of Chad.

REGIONAL PEACE ENGAGEMENTS

24. The SADC Standby Force last year held Exercise Golfinho
which was hosted by the Republic of South Africa while the
Maritime of this Exercise was hosted by Namibia at Walvis Bay.
The objective of the Exercise was to prepare full
operationalization of the SADC Standby Force in 2010 as
decided by the Heads of State and Government at the SADC
Summit.

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25. Namibia is part of the International community. As such, the
Ministry of Defence participated actively in regional defense
and security fora through the SADC Inter-State Defence and
Security Committee. There are also bilateral defense and
security arrangements with Angola, Botswana, South Africa
and Zambia through Joint Commissions on Defence and
Security. These Joint Commissions, in which Government
Ministries and Offices entrusted with the defence and security
of our republic are participants ensure trust, build confidence
and mutual understanding with our neighbours. We will host
Angola,Zambia and South Africa this year, Ministry of Defence
as seconded an officer with a rank of Colonel to the Peace and
Security Council of the AU for 2 years, as we are members of
the Peace and Security Council.

MILITARY DIPLOMACY AND ADVISORY

26. To ensure international peace and security, the Ministry of

Defence promotes good relations with foreign Governments by
deploying Military Advisors or Attaches to Namibia's diplomatic
missions abroad. Currently, Namibia has Military Advisors or
Attaches in the following countries and international bodies:
Angola,Brazil, People's Republic of China, Democratic Republic
of Congo, Federal Republic of Germany, Republic of South
Africa, the United Nations and African Union. This year we are
to deploy two more Attaches to additional countries.

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27. Foreign Military Experts: The Namibian Defence Force is
relatively young and needs foreign experts to assist with the
development of the Army, Air Force, Navy and Medical Services.

Hon Chairperson of the Whole House Committee

Hon Members

The amount allocated to international deployment for Financial

Year 2010/2011 amounts to Forty-Two MOlion Eight
Hundred Forty-Nine Thousand Namibian Dollars
(N$42,849,OOO).

CONSTRUCTION, RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

28. The Ministry of Defence will undertake as part of conditions of

Service of NDF Members and equip them with modern
equipment is involved in construction of accommodation and
storage facilities of equipment as well as researching on
armament and equipment. The amount allocated for
construction from 2005 up to date is on average 13.8% of total
budge.

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DEFENCE INDUSTRY

29. Let me take this opportunity to inform the Hon Members, that
despite limited capabilities and the negative event of the global
economic downturn, the Namibian Defence Industry is making
great improvement in quantity and quality of its products. The
anti-mine troops carriers produced here in Namibia had proved
their quality and capability as proved during deployment with
our troops in UN Missions.

Hon Chairperson of the Whole House Committee

Hon Members

30. In recognition of its quality products, the August 26 Holdings

(Pty) Ltd, received the following awards: Golden European
Award for Quality (New Millennium Award) in recognition for its
trajectory and business excellence, this award was given m
Paris, France on 1st March 2010 by Trade Leaders Club at
Editorial Office in Madrid. On 29th March 2010, August 26
Holdings (Pty) Ltd received the Global Award for Perfection
Quality and Ideal Performance as well as Top Quality Customer
Satisfaction Aptitude Seal for High Quality Performance and
Best Customer Satisfaction in Berlin, Germany by Association
OtherWise Management and Consulting based in Paris, France.
On 12th July 2010, August Holdings Company is again to
receive a New Era Award for Technology Innovation and Quality

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 by Association OtherWise Management Consulting. This is a
clear indication of the high quality products which make the
company able to compete at global level despite limited
capacity.

31. The August 26 Holding (Pty) Ltd and its group of companies are
in a process of being restructured as part of the Turn Around
Strategy Exercise. This Strategy aims to improve on cooperate
governance, administration and management in order to bring
efficiencyand effectivenessin the group.
The amount allocated to Construction, Research and
Development is Five Hundred Forty-Four Million Five
Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Namibian Dollars
(N$544,525,OOO).

CONCLUSION

To conclude, Hon Chairperson of the Whole House Committee

Honourable Members

32. Peace and security is the prerequisite for social harmony,

stability and development. In this unpredictable and volatile
world a country needs to have a reliable assurance to rely on in
time of turbulences. Namibia can only have this assurance if
our Defence Force is well-taken care of, well-trained and well-
equipped. Peace and Security can only be maintained if we

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 engage regionally with our neighbours, strengthen our regional
and continental mechanism to maintain peace and stability.

33. Our men and women in uniform are security insurances that
help to ensure global, regional and national security, therefore,
in order for them to effectively protect our sovereignty and
contribute to regional and international peace and security,
they deserve our undivided support.

34. I am therefore, requesting, Hon Members to support and

approve the allocation of Three Billion Fourteen Million
Seven Hundred Seventy-Four Thousand Namibian Dollars
(N$3,014,774,OOO) to fund the afore-mentioned programmes
of the Ministry of Defenceduring the 2010/2011 Financial year
and continue to render your all-round support during this
period and beyond.

I thank you!

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