Staff Writer
Fisheries and marine resources minister Inge Zaamwani has declared zero tolerance for corruption in the management of Namibia’s marine resources, asserting that the allocation of fishing rights and quotas must remain impervious to personal interests or favouritism.
Her address, delivered at the opening of a five-day Corruption Risk Assessment Workshop hosted by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in Walvis Bay, served as a reminder that the nation’s fish stocks are a finite national asset rather than a spoils system for the connected.
Zaamwani framed the fight against graft not merely as a regulatory hurdle, but as a fundamental duty to safeguard the economic and environmental future of the country.
She stressed that decisions surrounding quotas must be guided strictly by legality, fairness, transparency, and accountability, and she thanked the ACC for its partnership in bolstering integrity within the sector.
The minister cautioned that public officials, irrespective of the level of scrutiny they face, are bound to act with honesty, impartiality, and professionalism.
“Integrity means doing the right thing even when no one is watching,” she stated, highlighting the imperative to avoid conflicts of interest and to apply policies consistently.
Her warning extended beyond the immediate financial losses of state revenue, pointing to a deeper rot: corruption weakens institutions, deters investment, and threatens the very sustainability of Namibia’s marine ecosystems.
She further argued that the focus must shift toward prevention through fortified systems, rigorous internal controls, and transparent procedures.
The current risk assessment, she noted, is an opportunity for institutional strengthening rather than a witch-hunt, aimed at identifying vulnerabilities and reducing unnecessary discretion.
Zaamwani committed her ministry to reinforcing quota allocation processes, improving record management, and enhancing decision-making frameworks. She also cited the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) as a key international benchmark Namibia is considering to align its governance with global standards, suggesting that greater openness could restore public confidence and attract much-needed investment.
However, she was adamant that the government cannot achieve these objectives in isolation, calling for a united front involving oversight bodies, the private sector, civil society, and ordinary citizens.
The success of the workshop, she concluded, hinges on participants’ willingness to engage honestly and develop actionable recommendations.
Officially declaring the workshop open, she urged all involved to build institutional resilience and safeguard one of Namibia’s most valuable resources through ethical leadership and collective responsibility.
