Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare explained that when the government planned its Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) interventions, provisions were made for personnel requirements, including tents, allowances and other logistical needs.
He was responding to LPM MP, Uutara Mootu, who raised concerns over the welfare of veterinary personnel deployed at FMD roadblocks in the ||Kharas Region, citing poor accommodation, inadequate meals and reduced daily allowances.
"There are discussions around their allowance, which has come to a halt. With the initial amount being 1,277 for doctors and managerial personnel and N$600 for technicians, labourers and administrative personnel. And the amount that we are hearing on the ground and we are investigating and receiving from the members is that they are receiving a daily allowance of N$200."
The Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare proposed a joint investigation into the reported poor conditions be carried out with relevant stakeholders and reported back to parliament.
He also reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring that public servants deployed in the field work under conditions that are conducive, adequate and respectful of human dignity.
"Let us investigate this, and let's also task the Prime Minister to come back after such an investigation so that she can be able to apprise the nation in respect of the condition under which our staff members in this case, public servants, are operating."
The Prime Minister also responded to NUDO MP, Vetaruhe Kandorozu's, call to urgently restore drought relief food distribution to rural communities.
Kandorozu says El Niño-induced drought, Foot-and-Mouth Disease restrictions and the lack of trading opportunities have left residents without food or means of survival.
The Prime Minister stated that government assistance will be guided by ongoing assessments of the drought and FMD situation while monitoring preparations and water security measures.
"I just want to assure you as well as assure the nation that the government is fully, let's call it fully, prepared and fully cognisant of the implication of there not being enough rain, and that's why you hear us, as you might have followed in Swakopmund yesterday, that we spoke to availability of water so that our communities in the rural areas are assured that they have sufficient water not only for drinking but also for livestock as well as for a number of issues that they can do."