WINDHOEK- There is no office space for the additional members of parliament who will join the legislature next year, bringing into question whether enough groundwork was done before the decision to increase the National Assembly seats from 78 to 104.
Lawmakers amended the national constitution and made provision for the increase in the number of National Assembly seats, among other changes.
Secretary to the National Assembly Jakes Jacobs confirmed to New Era yesterday that there is no space for the new MPs, adding that plans are underway to rent office space within the close proximity of parliament.
“We are busy looking into the development budget to find alternatives such as additional accommodation nearby parliament. As for the chamber, we will fit it with additional microphones,” said Jacobs.
All backbenchers are entitled to a fully furnished office on the premises of parliament to carry out their duties.
Jacobs said during big gatherings such as that of the State of the Nation Address and the opening of parliament, space will be a challenge, hence the need for an alternative plan.
Government recently gave the green light for the construction of a new parliament which will cost close to N$700 million.
“The new building will take time to complete and therefore we need a plan B for now. This building was built in 1913 and we cannot continue extending it because of limited space,” he explained.
Speaking to New Era yesterday, Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP) MP Steve Bezuidenhoudt said he also wants to know how parliament will deal with this challenge.
“It is very squeezed at the moment but so far I do not know of any MPs who are sharing offices,” the RDP vice-president said.
“There will definitely not be enough office space next year. This gives us an opportunity to embrace mobile technology because one does not need a physical office in the modern world. If parliament can provide all the tools needed for this then all will be well,” he said.
DTA MP Katuutire Kaura foresees a “disaster” at parliament next year as a result of these changes.
“It is unfortunate that we have this situation now. I foresee a situation where members will be spread all over town. The situation will not allow fluency and could be a total disaster,” the former DTA president said.
Swanu President Usutuaije Maamberua said the constitutional amendment process did not holistically consider important factors, hence the envisaged conundrum.
“Everything was not planned because no one looked at the implications involved such as salaries, office space and additional parliament staff. This was a project driven in a very narrow manner,” he said.
Swapo MP and Secretary General Nangolo Mbumba said space limitation should not be used as an excuse, adding that the space constraints would be sorted once the new parliament building is constructed.
“Space can always be created and in fact there is a process of creating a new parliament. Space is not an excuse, where were they when we passed the constitutional amendments?” asked Mbumba.