TIRI MASAWI
Finance Minister, Ericah Shanfudah has re-allocated an additional N$179 million to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform (MAFWLR) to assist in containing and managing the outbreak of Foot-and-Mouth Disease.
Announcing the mid- term budget Shafudah said the amount was mobilised through the two percent (2%) reduction applied to the expenditure ceilings of all Offices, Ministries, and Agencies ( OMAs.)
Shafudah acknowledged revenue slumps from initial expectations caused by a reduction in mining company tax and royalties which were revised down to N$5.2 billion from the expected N$6.1 billion.
She said diamond taxes and royalties have also fallen from N$5.8 billion to N$414 million in 2026/27.
The reduction in diamond revenues represents a shortfall of N$5.3 billion over the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF 2024/25 – 2026/27).
Shafidah also re-allocated N$180 million to the Office of the President.
“Of this amount, N$140 million is earmarked for the construction of basic sports facilities under the coordination and supervision of Regional Governors, necessitating the transfer of the budget allocation to Vote 01 from Vote 27: Sport, Youth and National Service to ensure streamlined implementation, enhanced accountability, and expedited delivery. The remaining N$40 million is to strengthen security measures,” she said.
The minister also re- allocated N$200 million to the ministry of defence to cater for rations at N$100 million and the rest for utilities.
“An amount of N$62 million is allocated to Vote 17: Urban and Rural Development, comprising N$50 million for urgent soil erosion mitigation works in Rundu, Kavango East Region, and N$12 million to fund the five (5.0) percent salary adjustment for Regional Councillors,” she said.
Ministry of Works also received a re-allocation of N$50 million, N$41 million to Health and Social Services ministry to cater for 456 medical and dental interns, N$28.5 million allocated to: Judiciary to meet critical operational requirements, including transport, utilities, and salary adjustments for prosecutors, judges, and magistrates.
Other allocations includes N$26 million to the office of the Prime Minister for outstanding drought relief invoices, N$16 million to the ministry of justice , comprising N$13 million for the ongoing expansion of the Ministry’s Head Office and N$3 million for essential operational requirements, N$13 million to the national assembly, N$12.9 million the Gender Equality and Child
Welfare ministry , N$5.5 the Ministry of Labour Relations, N$5 million the Attorney General to address critical personnel requirements and procure essential office equipment.
Shafudah also allocated N$4.7 million in the Auditor General to address
critical recruitment requirements and strengthen audit capacity, N$4.9 million to the Ministry of International Relations.
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