Nelson Kalangula, the Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) shadow minister of works and transport, has raised concerns about the proposed Public Assets Management Agency (PAMA) in Namibia. He has tabled a notice of questions in the national assembly, seeking clarity on the legal authority, cost, and mandate of PAMA. Kalangula's questions come as the government seeks to establish PAMA to improve the management and utilisation of state-owned property.
The proposed PAMA aims to oversee, register, and commercialise state-owned immovable property and strategic assets. However, Kalangula argues that existing statutory frameworks, including the State Finance Act, Public Enterprises Governance Act, and Companies Act, already govern the management, custody, and valuation of state assets. He specifically points to the directorate of fixed asset management within the ministry of works and transport as an existing structure with responsibilities relating to state property.
Kalangula is questioning the specific legal foundation on which PAMA is currently operating, asking under what enabling legislation PAMA derives its statutory authority. He also wants the government to explain how it intends to avoid duplication between PAMA and existing institutions, including the ministry of works and transport's directorate of fixed asset management and local authorities. Clarity on the respective responsibilities of these institutions is crucial as PAMA moves towards exercising control over state-owned property.
The IPC shadow minister is also concerned about the possible transfer of public properties from line ministries to PAMA and the safeguards that would govern such transfers. He wants the government to provide objective criteria for determining which properties can be transferred to the agency, particularly those used for public service delivery, such as schools and health facilities. This comes as PAMA's proposed commercialisation mandate places greater emphasis on extracting value from state-owned properties.
Kalangula is seeking clarity on the financial implications of establishing PAMA, including the total projected cost of establishing the agency's operational infrastructure, board, and executive secretariat. He is also asking whether existing asset-management directorates within line ministries will be restructured or absorbed to avoid duplication and potential double-funding. The government is expected to provide answers to these questions in the national assembly.
The proposed PAMA has sparked debate about the management of state-owned property in Namibia. The agency's commercialisation mandate has raised concerns about the potential displacement of public service delivery by commercial monetization goals. Kalangula's questions aim to ensure that the government's steps towards operationalising PAMA are transparent and accountable. The national assembly is set to discuss the matter on Thursday.
Kalangula's final question focuses on the country's state asset register, seeking a comprehensive and audited National State Asset Register before parliament before any strategic government real estate or public assets are transferred to PAMA for commercial management. The government is expected to provide answers to these questions, which will help clarify the role and responsibilities of PAMA.
Key points
- - The proposed PAMA aims to oversee, register, and commercialise state-owned immovable property and strategic assets. - Kalangula seeks clarity on PAMA's legal authority, cost, and mandate. - The IPC shadow minister wants the government to table a comprehensive, audited National State Asset Register before parliament.
