Deputy Minister of Works and Transport, Veikko Nekundi, has called for the reintegration of several state agencies into the main structures of ministries to curb unnecessary expenses and better allocate government funds.
In contrast, however, political analyst Sakaria Johannes, is arguing that this move will make the agencies susceptible to political interference, resulting in them becoming corruptible.    
Nekundi made the statement while contributing to the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) Amendment Bill during a parliamentary session last week.
The Bill, presented and motivated by the Minister of Higher Education, Training, and Innovation, Itah Kandji-Murangi, seeks to address various issues within the NSFAF system.
According to Nekundi, many state agencies are created with the sole purpose of providing additional executive roles for individuals seeking higher salaries.
He argued that people within ministries often push for the establishment of agencies that are not only redundant but costly.
“These agencies are often created by people looking to secure roles as bosses, CEOs, or strategic executives, all of whom seek to earn higher salaries,” Nekundi said.
He explained that, for example, a ministry employee earning N$30,000 per month might advocate for the creation of a new agency. Once the agency is established, they would be appointed to a higher-paying role, potentially earning up to N$80,000 or more per month.
Nekundi emphasized that reintegrating such agencies back into the ministries would result in significant savings for the government.
He noted that these funds could be better utilized for public services and infrastructure that directly benefit the Namibian people.
“We are going to save millions of dollars that will be directed toward proper service delivery and good infrastructure that will benefit the people of Namibia,” he said.
As the country prepares for a new government, Nekundi suggested that a thorough review of the existing government agencies be conducted, with 50% of them undergoing audits to assess their necessity and efficiency.
“I am looking forward to the fact that a number of these many agencies should be reintegrated into the mainstreams of the ministries,” Nekundi stated.

POLITICAL MANIPULATION

Political analyst Sakaria Johannes has disagreed with a proposal by politician Nekundi to reintegrate certain state agencies into the respective ministries.
Johannes argued keeping these agencies independent would better serve the public interest and prevent political manipulation.
He emphasised state agencies should operate without the oversight or influence of political figures.
Johannes cited his personal experience with agencies that have been absorbed into ministries including NSFAF, noting that they often lose their effectiveness and become subject to political control.
“The experience that I have for independent agencies that joined the ministries is that they end up ineffective and captured by politicians to do what they want,” he said.
According to Johannes, when agencies function independently, they are more difficult to influence or control by political figures. 
He pointed to Africa as an example, explaining that when agencies are integrated into ministries, they often serve the interests of individuals in power rather than the broader public good.
“If you look at Africa, many agencies that joined the ministries are used for personal gains. For instance, the minister can influence an agency in his/her ministry to serve their role rather than serving the public interest,” Johannes remarked.
The analyst also expressed concern about the potential financial implications of reintegrating agencies. 
He warned the proposal would not lead to significant cost savings as claimed, but rather exacerbate the problem of corruption. 
Johannes argued ministries would have more access to agency funds, making it easier for corruption to thrive.
“Reintegrating agencies into ministries would not save funds. Instead, agencies will lose funds through corruption, and corruption will only increase,” he asserted.
While some believe bringing agencies under the direct control of ministries could streamline operations and cut costs, others, like Johannes, maintain that independence is crucial for the integrity of these institutions.

DIRECT BENEFIT

Incoming leader of the official opposition party, Panduleni Itula, described Nekundi’s proposal as “a direct benefit” to the Namibian nation.
He claimed the government office bearers are seeking the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) manifesto proposal for implementation.
“As a direct benefit to the Namibian Nation in reduction of state revenue, the IPC is delighted that the government office bearers are coming around to the IPC Manifesto proposals of reducing SOEs from 92 to 52, with the resultant shedding of 200 board member allowances, including CEO exorbitant salaries, which increases Revenue allocation to unproductive jobs for comrades schemes,” said Itula.
He also stated that the IPC will always support, rather than object to, policies adopted by the majority of legislators that serve the best interests of the nation.

CASE-BY-CASE

Social justice activist, Herbert Jauch, concurred that there are numerous government agencies that needs to be brought back to the main fold as directorates or departments. But urged the government to look at the reintegration of these agencies on a case-by-case basis. 
“NSFAF, for example, should have remained a department within the ministry that deals with bursaries, loans, and etcetera. It was never supposed to be taken out of the ministry. Lots of funds that would have been used for other student needs have gone into the construction of buildings and other capital projects related to operationalisation NSFAF,” Jauch said.
Jauch called on the powers to do an assessment of all agencies and to determine which of them can function optimally as mere government departments. 
He maintained that, the reintegration of these agencies are necessary in cutting state spending and needs to be done without staff retrenchments.