COVID-19: Namibia Announces Five-Years Ban On Buying Cars For Politicians And Government Officials

Namibia’s President, Hage Geingob has announced a five-year ban on buying new cars for politicians and government officials in order to channel funds into fighting coronavirus.

Geingob, who announced the ban on his Twitter page on Thursday, also directed a limit on monthly fuel consumption for public office holders.

The president said the decision was inspired by the “difficult period of COVID-19.”

“Government will not order a new vehicle fleet for the Executive and Public Office Bearers for the period 2020-2025,” he wrote.

“No new vehicles will be purchased for members of the executive and public office bearers in the Namibian government.”

He said the decision would save some 200 million Namibian dollars (US$10.7 million), which will be directed “to urgent priorities, specifically at a time when the country is dealing with the health and economic implications of COVID-19”.

Government will not order a new vehicle fleet for the Executive and Public Office Bearers for the period 2020-2025. Savings of 200 million N$ will be directed to urgent priority areas. Below is the statement issued by The Presidency to that effect: pic.twitter.com/6FLnAdf7xd

— Dr Hage G. Geingob (@hagegeingob) May 14, 2020

Namibia with a population of 2.5 million people only has recorded 16 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the country.

KanyiDaily recalls that the Namibian Government had last month begun the transfer of money into its citizens bank accounts to ease the effect of coronavirus lockdown in the country.