Rudolf Gaiseb
Swapo member of Parliament Alpheus !Naruseb says the appropriation amendment bill speaks to the development of young people but does not sufficiently take into account tackling social challenges such as substance abuse affecting young people.
Deliberating on the bill in parliament last week, he urged that substance abuse continues to undermine the wellbeing of families and communities and threatens the future of many young Namibians.
“While we focus on empowering our youth economically, we must also confront the growing social challenges affecting our communities, particularly the rampant prevalence of alcohol and drug abuse,” he said.
He added it is, therefore, important that the government continues to strengthen preventative programmes, public awareness initiatives and community-based interventions aimed at addressing substance abuse.
He acknowledged that the budget demonstrates the continued commitment of the government to improving the lives of the people, strengthening the economic productivity and maintaining fiscal responsibility in the management of public resources.
“These investments in education, health, social protection and youth development are not merely expenditures; they are investments in Namibia’s human capital and long-term economic growth,” he said.
!Naruseb further noted that young people grapple with access to land, and this remains a critical area for national development as even low-income households struggle for land.
Hence, government programmes aimed at formalising informal settlements and servicing land play an important role in addressing inequality and improving access to housing opportunities.
“Through the Mass Formalisation Programme, more than 2100 houses have been constructed and over 17 000 jobs created, contributing to improved living conditions for many Namibians,” he added.
Moreover, !Naruseb supports the budget and commended it for introducing important reforms aimed at strengthening transparency, efficiency and accountability in the management of public resources.
“These measures demonstrate the government’s commitment to improving public financial management and ensuring that every Namibian dollar spent delivers value for our people,” he underscored.
“Equally important is the commitment by the government to strengthen fiscal discipline and ensure the long-term sustainability of public finances,” he said.