Stefanus Nashama
The Chairperson of the National Council, Lukas Sinimbo Muha yesterday stated that the National Council financial allocation for Standing Committees has been increased by about 133 percent
He said the increase from N$300 000 to N$400 000 in the 2022/2023 financial year to N$700 000 to N$900 000 in the 2023/2024 financial year, amounts to more than 130 percent.
The increment is with the exception of the Standing Committee on Implementation and Coordination, which has been, appropriated an amount of N$300 000 for this financial year.
The N$700 000 to N$900 000 financial allocation aims at improving key activities that Standing Committees plan to undertake in the 2023/2024 financial year.
Activities for Standing Committee’s Annual Plans comprise oversight missions, expert engagement activities, international engagement activities, capacity development activities, training and the hosting of counterpart committees from other Parliaments.
Muha said although the increased appropriation is not sufficient, it would suffice, and the Committees would have to work efficiently and within the ceiling as provided.
“If one looks at how the N$300 000 was put to use, one would say the National Council has competent Members and skilful staff members whose work encouraged the boost for the new financial year,” he said.
He stated that it is important for planning together with Members taking full ownership of the work that lies ahead for them.
An allocation of N$3.1 million has been availed to facilitate the participation of the Namibian Parliament in international affairs in bodies like the Inter-Parliamentary Union, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, SADC-Parliamentary Forum and the Pan African Parliament.
The National Council motivated and received an increased budget of N$120 million, therefor its accountability report has to prove that the funds were utilized for the specified activities and that impact is for the betterment of the Namibian people, Muha stated.
Vice Chairperson of the Implementation and Coordination Committee, John Likando urged Members to place greater emphasis and financial resources towards national oversight activities, which is at the core of the work of Parliament.
The National Council Standing Committees’ Annual Planning Session started on Friday, 21 April 2023 and concluded yesterday, Wednesday 26 April 2023.
Victoria Kauma, the Vice Chairperson of the National Council and Chairperson of the Implementation and Coordination Committee with respective Committee Chairpersons signed the Annual Committee Activity Plans yesterday.
All individual plans of the respective committees will be submitted to the Implementation and Coordinating Committees, which will then work out a calendar of activities for consideration by the Rules, Order and Business Committee.
The calendar will be a guiding tool for the core functions of representation, oversight and law-making and forms part of the larger, more detailed National Council Plan of Activities for 2023/2024.
Once the calendar is adopted, it will be shared with the Regional Councils and National Assembly.
