Martin Endjala
The National Council today passed three bills referred to it by the National Assembly, that will now see the bills being adopted in the lower house when it resumes.
The bills passed were the Access to Information Bill, Combating Rape Amendment Bill and Metrology Bill.
Some National Council MPs have advised that additional elements be added onto the bills to better serve their full implementation.
One of these recommendations was narrated by MP John Likando said that Access to Information is no longer a necessity but a fundamental need in today’s livelihood with the emerging 4IR driving the world.
He thus called on all information agencies and stakeholders to ensure that information is made available to all people in the country.
Likando recommended that Cabinet ensures that their decisions are made available not only on soft copies but on all platforms.
Gerhard Shiimi was also amongst the MPs who echoed saying that the combating rape amendment bill is one that many Namibians and the government can be proud as the bill seeks to take the rampant rape acts in the country by the horns.
Shiimi however said that the bill seems to be focusing only on adults and not juniors.
He continued by stressing that government needs to ensure that information of complainants is secured and protected from being circulated on social media platforms.
Additionally, Shiimi wants society to be mindful of their behaviours as well as media outlets to ensure that they do not circulate such sensitive materials on public platform
Chairperson of the National Council Lukas Muha expressed satisfaction with the bill, lamenting that he wishes to see the society free from scourge of rape.
