Cabinet has directed the National Planning Commission (NPC) to extend the fifth National Development Plan (NDP5) for the next two years to enable the completion of programmes and projects.

This was revealed by NPC Director General Obeth Kandjoze at a press conference on the approved commencement of NDP6 and the implementation of the second phase of the Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP) here on Monday.

Kandjoze said NDP5 covered the period 2017/18 to 2021/2022, during which Namibia and the rest of the world experienced economic turmoil stemming from recurring droughts, collapse in commodity prices and foreign direct investments and COVID-19.

He noted that the government has decided to extend NDP5 to 2023/24 and 2024/25 and to concentrate its efforts on prioritised HPP II programmes, whilst NDP6 is being developed.

“I would like to call upon all stakeholders, as this year is the year of reimagining, to concentrate our efforts by achieving more with fewer resources at our disposal as to allocate resources to priority programmes and projects and ensure timely completion of those,” he said.

The government, Kandjoze also said, will formulate an Economic Recovery and Resilience Strategy to underpin NDP6, which will cover the period 2024/25 to 2030/31.

He further noted that NPC will hold wide consultations, including with the public, this year to ensure ownership of the process, output and outcome of the plan before development and implementation.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency