…as he marks national defense force day
President Hage Geingob has said that the latest budget of N$5.4 billion given to the ministry of defense was not ideal, as he marked the national defense force day.
This is at the back of perennial criticism that the ministry is being allocated too much when more monies should be channeled to agriculture.
The defense budget is 9.1 percent of the total budget for the 2021/2022 financial year.
Meanwhile, Namibia’s military was ranked as one of the weakest in the world, at 126th out of 137 countries in 2020.
He said, “Government will continue to support the NDF in carrying out its important and crucial mandate of protecting the nation and securing its territorial integrity. Given the challenging circumstances resulting from the devastating COVID-19 pandemic, the NDF received an allocation of N$ 5.4 billion or 9.1 percent of the total budget for the 2021/2022 financial year. Although this may not be ideal, we are all aware that in these times, nothing is ideal.”
He said the ministry and government must be smart and goal directed in the use of limited funds to further transform the NDF into a truly representative institution of the national ethos of inclusivity, unity, freedom and patriotism.
He added, “However, we are required to do more with less and become innovative in our endeavours to fulfil our roles. I am therefore, pleased to note that the NDF continues to carry out its mandate optimally without compromising the integrity of our national security, despite limited resources.”
While he noted that the army needs enhance its capabilities in the face of modern challenges and opportunites brought by technology, he also took time to remind soldiers to demonstrate the highest standards of professional behaviour and discipline at all times.
He has also reminded the soldiers of the challenges of insurgence activity in Mozambique which has displaced 67 000 people.
“Against this background, the military preparedness of the NDF and the maintenance of the highest standards of professionalism among our officers and soldiers is of utmost importance. Consequently, the NDF must continuously train 11 and improve its soldiers in terms of physical, and mental operational readiness.
“It also necessitates that the NDF must establish the required cooperation linkages with their counterparts among the friends of Namibia, through its defense Attaches to ensure that the NDF Command is well-informed, and is able to identify and eliminate timely, any threat to the safety and security of the Namibian State,” he said.
This year’s theme of the national defense force day is “Conquering challenges, Harnessing Readiness”.
