NIPDB CEO says unsustainable unemployment a threat to peace

By: Selma Taapopi

Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB) Chief Executive Officer Nangula Uaandja said the incoming president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah should address unemployment immediately after her inauguration.

Uaandja said the recent unemployment statistics pose a threat to peace and stability. According to Namibia Statistic Agency (NSA), the overall unemployment is nearly 37 percent.“ We have seen with the recent statistics that were released by the Namibian Statistics Agency in January about unemployment rate based on the census of 2023… If you look at youth unemployment, it’s about 40-something percent. That is not sustainable. And that is a threat to peace and stability.

So the good news is, I believe the incoming president already knows that and that is why creating more than 250 000 jobs is what is there,”said Uaandja, while adding that the economy needs to be stimulated and attract foreign capital. She said the goal is for Namibians to benefit from this foreign currency.In addition, Uaandja stated that while the government has all the policies in place, it needs to improve its implementation plan.

“We need to focus on how we, as public service, deliver. Somebody has said: we have got all the policies in Namibia. Actually, sometimes we don’t even need to write a new policy. Yes, there is a policy gap here and there. But for now, if we can just perfect the implementation of the policies that we have. If we can make sure that we have got good project management around that implementation plan,” remarked Uaandja.

Uaandja believes Nandi-Ndaitwah has her priorities rights because she spent many years in government.She said Nandi-Ndaitwah also spent enough time listening to the masses.

“Now, I am so excited because I believe that the woman that we have been given is somebody that will do justice to this job. It’s somebody that will turn this economy around and this country around,” said Uaandja.