Allexer Namundjembo
Finance Minister Iipumbu Shiimi was unable to present the mid-year budget review on Monday because not enough members of parliament attended to form a quorum.
The mid-term budget review serves as an opportunity for the government to reassess its initial allocations that were made at the start of the year.
Shiimi said that while the budget allocations will remain as they were initially set, resources will be focused on ministries facing urgent needs.
Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly, Loide Kasingo, adjourned the session.
“The rule says we need to be 49 to proceed with house activities. Unfortunately, we cannot proceed as we are not 49,” she said.
The review has been postponed to today.
“I hope we will be 49,” said Kasingo.
The lack of attendance was attributed to many Swapo members being engaged in the party’s election manifesto public lecture, leaving parliament sparsely attended.
Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) deputy president Kalimbo Iipumbu has described the situation as embarrassing.
“We have received invitations to come and attend the review, but the Swapo members who are the majority in the house did not show up. It is a syndrome of the Swapo party to not come to parliament. The country is now facing hunger, but all they think of is their stomachs. Just ask yourself. Where were they? Obviously attending their event that was on today. They were just there drinking wine,” Kalimbo said.
Kalimbo accused the members of parliament who did not show up for the review of making a mockery of the country’s democracy.
Earlier in June, National Assembly Speaker Peter Katjavivi urged members of parliament to adhere to schedules and actively engage in discussing important motions.
Katjavivi’s appeal came after an incident where numerous members failed to return promptly from a tea break, leaving the chamber nearly empty.
A mid-year budget review is not a new budget but a reallocation of resources to address emergencies.
It is also a platform to assess the country’s economic performance and fiscal policies at the financial year’s halfway point.
