Ref: 13/6/26
26 March 2008


Cabinet took the following decisions at its 5th ordinary meeting held on 18 March 2008.

1. MEATCO’S OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE: TERMS OF REFERENCE
By way of Cabinet decision 10th/19.06.07/005 the mandate of Meatco and its ownership structure should be decided, giving preference to a Cooperative type of arrangement to broaden participation and membership of Meatco.

The new structure of Meatco must ensure that Meatco, as an important player in the meat industry and contributing to the country’s economy, is managed on sound business principles to ensure that Namibia continues to market meat and meat products in domestic and external markets competitively.

Meatco’s new business format must ensure that Meatco empowers emerging and communal farmers through the establishment of auction pens and marketing infrastructure in these areas. The objective is to ensure that communal farmers too accrue maximum benefits from selling their animals to Meatco and not only for the middle-men who are between Meatco and communal farmers.

Ultimately, Government is expecting that the new ownership structure of Meatco will provide for a sound business entity that operates in the national interest, contributes to the national objectives, and provides for equal opportunities for all meat producers of the country in terms of profit sharing and shareholding in the business.

To expedite the matter, the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry and the National Planning Commission plans to use the procurement procedures of the Agricultural Bank of Namibia to engage a consultant to finalise the work to be done on the ownership structure of Meatco within the next three to four months.

Cabinet, therefore, approved the terms of reference for a study on Meatco’s ownership structure, while approval was also granted for the use of the Agricultural Bank of Namibia’s procurement system to expedite the process.

Further information can be obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry at telephone number 2087643.
2. APPROVAL OF THE TEXTBOOK POLICY FOR PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Between May and July 2007 the Ministry of Education engaged a consultancy funded by the European Commission to assist in the development of a national textbook policy for primary and secondary schools in Namibia. This policy is one of the ETSIP activities. It is also one of the priority activities required by development partners for the disbursement of funds to the Ministry of Education in support of ETSIP.

The Textbook Policy provides guidelines on matters such as:
- Production of inexpensive, but good quality textbooks for schools;
- Publishing of textbooks and the regulations thereof;
- Procurement of textbooks;
- Budgetary provisions for textbooks;
- Supply chain for the provision of textbooks to schools; and
- Delivery, care and use of textbooks and other learning support materials.

These issues have been formulated into a clear and concise directive that should guide the Ministry of Education in textbook management. The Policy has been produced after consultations with various stakeholders in Namibia and has been fully endorsed by stakeholders in education.

Cabinet, therefore, approved the National Textbook Policy.

Further information can be obtained from the Ministry of Education at telephone number 2706307.

3. APPOINTMENT OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF AND ESTABLISHING THE MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE ACCOUNT NAMIBIA IMPLEMENTATION UNIT
The appraisal of the Millennium Challenge Account Namibia Programme to be funded by the Millennium Challenge Account of the United States of America is nearing completion in terms of components and the administration thereof. The Government is now required to put a structure in place to manage the implementation of the programme.

Cabinet, by decision number 13th/07.08.07/004 approved the structure proposed by the Ministry of Justice to establish a Public Service Unit within the National Planning Commission Secretariat. However, it was later realised that, based on a number of considerations, that the creation of a unit outside the Public Service, is the best option to follow.

Given the nature of the work and the magnitude of human resources required (currently 41), as well as the time frame of five (5) years, it is important to create a structure headed by a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with staff members who are not members of the Public Service of Namibia. The CEO shall report to the Director General and Board of the National Planning Commission, but will still be required to inform the Permanent Secretary of the NPC on all MCA activities.

In light of the above, Cabinet granted permission to the National Planning Commission, acting as the MCA Namibia Governing Board, to create a structure of the MCA Namibia Implementation Unit for a period of five years.

Further information can be obtained from the National Planning Commission Secretariat at telephone number 222549.

4. 8TH MEETING OF THE ACP NATIONAL AND REGIONAL AUTHORISING OFFICERS THAT TOOK PLACE IN BRUSSELS FROM 28 – 31 JANUARY 2008
The 8th meeting of ACP National and Regional Authorising Officers took place in Brussels, Belgium at the end of January 2008 and was attended by officials from Namibia’s National Planning Commission, as well as officials from Namibia’s Embassy in Brussels.

Pertinent issues discussed at the meeting included amongst others the consideration of the European Commission’s proposal on the harmonisation of rules and procedures for financial cooperation, guidelines for Intra-ACP Programming of the 10th European Development Fund (EDF), budgetary aid in the framework of the 10th EDF, role of Non State Actors in the implementation of the Cotonou Agreement and the role of Local Government Platforms.

The meeting also prepared for the Ministers meeting scheduled to take place later this year.

Cabinet, therefore, took note of the implications of the EC’s proposal on the harmonisation of the rules and procedures of finance cooperation, in particular proposed amendments to Annex IV of Cotonou.

Cabinet, furthermore, noted the emphasis placed on the improved involvement of Non State Actors and the Governance Profile and Incentive Tranche, which Namibian successfully accessed and the need to review progress made on this Action Plan.

Further information can be obtained from the National Planning Commission Secretariat at telephone number 222349.

5. ANNUAL REPORTS:
- 2005/2006 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES
- 2006/2007 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE NATIONAL PLANNING COMMISSION
Cabinet noted the two above-mentioned annual reports and gave permission to the Minister of Health and Social Services and the Director General of the National Planning Commission respectively to table the reports in the National Assembly.
Further information can be obtained from the Ministry of Health and Social Services at telephone number 2039111 and the National Planning Commission at telephone number 222549.

6. NATIONAL YOUTH COUNCIL’S DRAFT BILL, 2008
Cabinet approved the establishment of the National Youth Council as a legal entity in 2006. Subsequently, the Ministry of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture established a technical committee composed of senior ministerial staff and representatives of the National Youth Council to start drafting a Bill for the Council.

Public hearings on the Bill were conducted in November 2006 to solicit inputs and comments on the proposed Bill.

The Cabinet Committee on Legislation scrutinised the Bill and approved it with minor changes on 14 February 2008.

The Bill will provide for the establishment of the National Youth Council and the Youth Development Fund, while it will also provide for the management and administration of the Council and the Fund, the establishment of youth forums and the registration of youth organisations and associations as affiliates to the Council.

Cabinet, therefore, gave it’s in principle approval to the Ministry of Youth, National Service, Sport and Culture to submit the Bill to the National Assembly for consideration and enactment.

Further information can be obtained from the said Ministry at telephone number 2706307.

7. AMENDMENT OF THE NAMIBIAN CUSTOMS AND EXCISE ACT
The present Customs and Excise Act does not address all aspects relating to Customs Administration and does not incorporate international instruments. To bring it in line with international instruments such as the SACU Agreements and the Kyoto and Istanbul Conventions, the present Act needs to be amended.

Cabinet, therefore, gave approval to the Ministry of Finance to embark on the amendment of the Namibian Customs and Excise Act, in line with international instruments to which Namibia is a signatory and to give effect to other matters that have not been previously addressed in the present legislation.

Further information can be obtained from the Ministry of Finance at telephone number 2982811.




MBEUTA UA-NDJARAKANA
PERMANENT SECRETARY