Main photograph: Wildebeest on Etosha Pan. Photo ©Hu Berry
Budgetary Allocations for the current financial year 2014/2015 as per Minister Uahekua Herunga during his Budget Speech this week:
The MET budget in the Medium Term Plan consists of six programmes and the following major activities are to be undertaken:
Programme 1: Wildlife and protected area management
The funds under this programme will be used for the implementation of biodiversity management and operations of conservation areas and national parks, support to CBNRM and direct assistance to conservancies and human wildlife conflict management.
Programme 2: Protection and management of key species and natural habitat
The purpose of this programme is to improve our efficiency and capacity in protecting and managing key species and natural resources. The programme will also increase access to the wildlife industry by previously disadvantaged Namibians.
Programme 3: Tourism Development and Gaming
This programme will facilitate the promotion and marketing of destination Namibia and reglating the tourism industry, through the Namibia Tourism Board (NTB). This programme also provides support to Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR) to enhance service provision and infrastructure development, tourism awareness and community based tourism lodges. Investment in this sector is critical for sustained economic growth and employment creation.
Programme 4: Environmental Management and Regulation
The purpose of this programme is to ensure sustainable development by avoiding environmental degradation and the non-sustainable use of our resources. The main activities are: Environmental assessments, pollution control and waste management, sustainable management of the coastal environment, biodiversity conservation, integrated sustainable land management and climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Programme 5: Planning, Coordination, Infrastructure development, Maintanance, Monitoring and Evaluation
To ensure planning and implementation of development projects and maintenance of infrastructure. It is also responsible for the policy planning and coordination of Development cooperation and international programmes.
Programme 6: Administration, coordination and investments
To provide support to the holistic administrative issues of the Ministry. It includes activities such as Financial Management, Internal Audits, Human Resource Management, Business Process Reengineering, Information and Technology, Asset Management and General Support.