By Jakes Jacobs
Secretary to the National Assembly
Introduction
Parliaments are indispensable institutions of representative democracies around the world and regardless of their country-specific rules, their three universal roles of representation, law-making and oversight remain. Effective parliaments shape policies and laws which respond to the needs of citizens and support sustainable and equitable development.
The theme of the Seventh Session of the Fifth Parliament was “Connecting Parliament with the Public: Ensuring Accountability and Public Disclosure”. President Hifikepunye Pohamba during his address at the official opening of parliament urged parliamentarians as representatives of the people to remain pro-active in dealing with present and emerging challenges facing the nation. He encouraged Parliament not only to deepen democracy but also to monitor and hold to account the Executive in implementing the mandates entrusted to them by the electorate.
In fulfilling its mandate the National Assembly carried out various activities of which the following are the highlights:
1. Bills Passed
i. National Planning
Commission Bill
ii. Appropriation Bill
iii. Income Tax
Amendment Bill
iv. Stamp Duties
Amendment Bill
v. Transfer Duty
vi. Amendment Bill
Public Accountants’
and Auditors’
vii. Amendment Bill
Water Resources
viii. Management Bill
Electoral
Amendment Bill
ix. Agricultural
(Commercial) Land
Reform Amendment
Bill
x. Communal Land
Reform Amendment
Bill
xi. Amendment Bill
xii. High Court
Amendment Bill
3.The Fourth Session of the Children’s Parliament
The Fourth Session of the Children’s Parliament took place from 6-10 May 2013 under the theme “Children’s Parliament – Ensuring that the voices of tomorrow’s leaders are heard”. The session was attended by 61 participants comprising 55 learners (four from each of the 14 regions), three members of the Junior Town Council of the City of Windhoek, as well as three former young parliamentarians. The primary goal of the Children’s Parliament is to lobby and advise Government and its agencies responsible for law-making and their implementing machinery to fast-track policies that would improve the rights and welfare of children and young persons, in accordance with national legal instruments and the provisions of International Conventions on Children’s Rights. The report for the session was tabled in the House and the issues raised were forwarded to the line ministries for further action.
4. Taking Parliament to the People
4.1 The Programme of Taking Parliament to the People
Parliamentary engagement of citizens is instrumental in furthering the state of democracy by encouraging and facilitating the effective networking of citizens and increasing their participation in the political debate. This supports the commitment of parliaments to greater openness, transparency and accountability. The main aim of the programme “Taking Parliament to the People” is to present accurate information about the functioning of parliament and to enhance public participation in the law making process.
In 2013, the Namibian Parliament was visited by 23 schools and five tertiary institutions. Parliament participated in trade fairs held in the following regions during the year 2013;
• Zambezi
• Oshikoto
• Oshana
• Kunene
• Otjozondjupa
• Khomas
4.2 Oversight
Visits Undertaken/Hearings Held
The parliamentary oversight function is one of the cornerstones of democracy. Oversight is a means for holding the executive accountable for its actions and for ensuring that it implements policies in accordance with the laws and budget passed by the parliament.
The robust monitoring of the executive by the parliament is an indicator of good governance. Besides the parliament’s legislative function, it is through oversight that the parliament can ensure a balance of power and assert its role as the defender of people’s interests. The oversight is carried out by the various Standing Committees, during the normal sitting days or during the recess.
This involves visits to various government institutions to inspect facilities in case of capital projects or to consult with line ministries on obstacles to efficient and effective service delivery. Reports are compiled and tabled in the House for discussion and recommendations are given for line ministries for further action. Furthermore, in the course of 2013 various line ministries, parastatals and civil society organisations were requested to brief the Standing Committees on various issues pertaining to the implementation of their mandates.
4.3 Oversight on the Development Budget in the (MTEF) 2013/14 and 2015/16
Members attended a workshop funded by the EU-funded Parliamentary Support Programme, on the development budget from 15-19 July 2013 and 29 July – 2 August 2013, to enhance the understanding of the MPs on the development budget and to enrich the oversight function of Parliamentary Standing Committees. During the workshop the members analysed more than 290 development projects contained in the Medium Term Expenditure Framework 2013/2014 to 2015/2016 and formulated more than 550 questions to permanent secretaries of various ministries to solicit feedback on the status and feasibility of the various projects. Letters have been written to ministries to seek clarification and answers to the comments and questions raised during the workshop on some of the projects.
4.4 Parliamentary Networking with the Media
The Parliamentary Support Programme further funded a workshop which dealt with how parliamentarians and the parliament in general can positively cultivate the services of the media and increase media-parliamentary partnership and networking. This workshop also further enlightened parliamentarians and parliament staff on how to productively use the social media.
5. Networking with Regional and International Parliamentary Frameworks, Parliamentary Friendship Groups and Regional Blocs
The Namibian National Assembly networks with the following bodies amongst others:
• African Union (AU)
• Pan-African Parliament (PAP)
• Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)
• Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)
•Southern Africa Development Community Parliamentary Forum (SADC PF)
• International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA)
• A host of Parliamentary Friendship Groups Etc.
6. Challenges Faced by the National Assembly
Insufficient funding for ongoing continuous human resources development at parliament has resulted in constraints in resource capacity, efficiency and effectiveness within the National Assembly. However, with limited funding available and initiatives by the Parliamentary Support Programme, parliament has made concerted efforts to undertake staff development in targeted sectors.