Suzith Tjitaura
Popular Democratic Movement Member of Parliament Inna Hengari said the 2025/26 budget falls woefully short of setting a decisive and transformative agenda for the new administration.
She said it lacks the bold economic interventions necessary to tackle the deeply structural challenges facing the country. Hengari made these remarks in Parliament on Tuesday dur i ng the budget debate. “It is no secret that this budget was rushed – that much is evident, but perhaps the more constructive conversation we should be having is how, from a legislative standpoint, we can ensure future transitions between administrations do not compromise the integrity and strategic alignment of the national budget,” she stressed. Hengari said the budget fails to address the economic plight of the youth.
In addition, it does not make any mention of tailor-made projects that will absorb the unemployed. She went on to say that there is no targeted funding, no entrepreneurial stimulus and no job creation plan tailored to the realities faced by young people.
“The consequences of ignoring our youth will haunt this nation for generations. When will this administration introduce a youth employment tax incentive, where companies that hire young job seekers are offered tax breaks?” asked Hengari.
She said there is need for structural solutions, such as increased housing subsidies, incentives for developers of low-cost housing and State-supported access to mortgage finance for first-time buyers to address the issue of lack of housing faced by thousands of Namibians.
“Rent prices are skyrocketing across the country, and home ownership remains a distant dream for many. A nation where citizens cannot afford shelter is a nation stumbling on the edge of social collapse.
We are yet to see defined actions that could help regulate and stabilise excessive rental increases, particularly in urban centres,” she said.
Hengari added that the budget misses the opportunity to empower local authorities and regional councils, which are institutions that are closest to the people, yet they are grossly underfunded.
The lawmaker cautioned that the urban-rural divide will continue to widen unless local governments are capacitated to respond to the developmental needs of their communities.
She proposed for the introduction of a local development conditional grant, tied to specific outcomes, to help bridge this gap.
She said while the idea of centralising and professionally managing government assets is welcome, the credibility of this proposal is undermined by the lack of clear budgetary provisions for its establishment and operations.
“Are we once again witnessing a grand announcement without the financial means or political will to follow through? Institutions of this scale require resourcing, staffing and legislative frameworks. This budget provides no such clarity – only ambiguity,” stated Hengari. -Nampa