Walvis Bay Urban constituency councillor Knowledge Ipinge says the residents have informed him that they will use whatever means necessary to ensure that no company awarded a quota through the auction shall fish, dock or set up any operations at the town.
In a statement dated 20 August, Ipinge says the process is tantamount to selling the country and does not prioritise those from previously disadvantaged and job creation but is about making money.
He also said the process of auctioning fishing quotas to the highest bidder does not consider the socio-economic advancement of the people of Walvis Bay and Namibians at large.
Ipinge also said the residents are angry and he is deeply concerned with the actions they may take informed by the economic hardships and mental health challenges they face.
He further said the process contradicts President Hage Geingob’s vow of allocating fishing quotas to all 14 regions to ensure accelerated and equal development.
“The people of Walvis Bay have suffered a great deal in the last few years since Fishrot job losses and this had been made worse by Covid-19 over the past months.
“Residents of our constituency many of whom are fishermen and factory workers who have lost their jobs have approached our office and aired their concerns,” Ipinga added.
According to Ipinge, he tabled the residents’ concerns at State of the Region Address 2020 on 12 August and further advised the governor that poverty alleviation drives require a holistic approach and should not be looked at from the begging bowl mentality that inspired the auctioning of the quotas.
