Only In Africa; Namibian President Hage Geingob Increases His Wages & Those Of His Political Appointees, Even As The Country Wallow In Recession!

This is one of those policy decisions that makes African leaders so insensitive and out of touch, even the one you thought has got the clue.

Namibian president Hage Geingob a few days ago signed into law the new salary increases of 6% for himself and fellow politicians, effective from this month. In 2015, the Public Office-Bearers Remuneration and Benefits Commission (POBC) recommended the increases in salary for politicians but Geingob did not approve them because of the economic situation.

On Friday, the Presidency gazetted the salary increases, detailing how much the politicians will earn.

According to the gazette, the President will now earn N$1,7 million per year. ( N$600 000 monthly). His vice president, Nickey Iyambo will pocket N$1,5 million per year, an addition of about N$400 000 from the previous N$1,1 million package.

Namibia's 27 ministers will cost the state over N$30 million per year, with four of the presidential advisers among others. Ironically, a worker who earns N$1 000 per month will have to work for 1700 months (140 years) to earn the President's N$1,7 million gross for one year. With Lib

Don't forget, this is a President who is worth $50 million, while his spouse’s estimated wealth is between $45 million and $60 million, according to Geingob's announcement at State House in May 2015 when he declared his asset and that of First Lady Monica Geingos.

During that asset declaration announcement, president Geingob also said, “My track record as a proponent of transparency and ethical behaviour in government can be traced back to my tenure as Prime Minister of Namibia when I initiated a programme to look into the issue of ethical behaviour in government,” he said.

The president stated that he is familiar with hardship in life. He narrated that while in exile in Botswana since 1962, he began working for the Swapo party and slept in the cold for one-and-a-half years with only one blanket. “That time took its toll on me to the point where I have a very sensitive chest to this day,”