German MPs on 'defence aid' visit

WINDHOEK – A delegation from the German Parliament (Bundestag), accompanied by officials from the Federal Ministry of Defence and the Federal Foreign Office, will arrive in Namibia for an official visit today.

The objective of the visit is to evaluate projects implemented within the framework of military equipment aid funded by Germany. Namibia is one of the few African countries that benefit from this assistance.

Since the start of the programme in 1992, a total of approximately N$200 million has been spent as a grant. German Member of Parliament, Herbert Frankenhauser, is the head of delegation.

The delegation will hold talks with high-ranking members of the Namibian Government, the Namibian Defence Force, the Speaker of the National Assembly, as well as the Standing Committee on Public Accounts of the National Assembly.

The visit will also take the delegation to Luiperdsvallei, Okahandja, Otavi and the Etosha National Park. At Luiperdsvallei and Okahandja, German equipment aid projects will be presented.

They include the deployment of a six-member Bundeswehr Advisory Group, development of a Mobile Field Hospital UN-level, the training of automotive mechanics, a multi-phased computer-based logistics system, support of the military driving school, and the donation of a large number of trucks and special-purpose vehicles/equipment.

Quelle:New Era