CONFLICTS DELAY NAM BUDGET

AN economic watch group says the delay in tabling Namibia’s 1999-2000 budget could be an indication that policymakers found it difficult to reconcile conflicting demands and fund allocation issues. The Namibian Economic Policy Research Unit (Nepru) said in a statement yesterday that this is most apparent in the announcement of a ‘Peace Project’ for ex-combatants. Government set aside N$255-million for the social integration of almost 9000 former fighters by offering them employment within the ranks of the public service. The report said this plan creates civil service finding liabilities. The decision to create jobs for the ex-combatants in the army also lays to rest recommendations of both the Wage and Salary Commission (Wascom) and the High-Level Cabinet Committee. Both committees had advised a 2% annual reduction in the size of the civil service. Nepru said the decision on ex-combatants also undermined Government credibility by confirming that it was only paying lip-service to the serious issue of downsizing the civil service.