President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Friday questioned Acting Executive Director in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform, Ben Haraseb, about a consultancy firm allegedly paid N$4 million to assist in integrating former Agribusdev staff into the ministry.

Nandi-Ndaitwah raised the matter during her familiarisation visit to the Sikondo Green Scheme in the Kavango West Region.

During her familiarisation visits to four green schemes in the two Kavango regions, affected workers expressed concern over the prolonged delay by the ministry in resolving their employment status.

Speaking on behalf of green scheme workers in the two regions, Marianne Shiyambi informed the President that since the dissolution of Agribusdev, they have been left in the dark about their future.

Shiyambi said they have been hearing conflicting updates over the years, including reports in early 2024 about a consultancy firm's involvement, from which they have seen no results.

She revealed that a letter sent to the Prime Minister's Office by them in August this year regarding the issue also received no response.

Shiyambi highlighted their poor working conditions, such as housing and transport allowances of N$176 and N$133, which have remained unchanged since 2015.

The President questioned Haraseb on when the consultancy was hired and what had happened since 2021.

Haraseb cited legislative challenges and the ministry's request for legal assistance from the Attorney General.

Nandi-Ndaitwah, who appeared agitated, instructed Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani to take charge of the matter, criticising the prolonged inaction.