A former top official says putting agriculture, land reform, and fisheries under one ministry could harm sectors worth N$87 billion to Namibia. Moses Maurihungirire believes the merger will weaken both areas because they have different needs. He worries fisheries might fade into the background since agriculture tends to dominate. The sectors employ over 88,000 people across the country.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah merged these ministries last month to cut costs and improve efficiency. She picked Mac Hengari to lead this combined ministry despite his current legal troubles. Former minister Helmut Angula thinks Hengari will struggle with such a large job because commercial farmers and fishing industry leaders want direct attention from the minister.
Not everyone opposes the change. Former minister Calle Schlettwein supports it because these areas were combined right after independence. He sees similarities between the sectors since both produce food. The new ministry received N$2.6 billion for this financial year to manage these important parts of the economy.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah merged these ministries last month to cut costs and improve efficiency. She picked Mac Hengari to lead this combined ministry despite his current legal troubles. Former minister Helmut Angula thinks Hengari will struggle with such a large job because commercial farmers and fishing industry leaders want direct attention from the minister.
Not everyone opposes the change. Former minister Calle Schlettwein supports it because these areas were combined right after independence. He sees similarities between the sectors since both produce food. The new ministry received N$2.6 billion for this financial year to manage these important parts of the economy.
