Windhoek
While there may be a need for a new parliament building in future it is not a priority right now, the country’s Ombudsman, Advocate John Walters, opined this week.
Adv Walters is of the view that with the many social problems facing the country, a new parliament building is just not a top priority for the immediate future.
“We have to look at the priorities in our country,” he said, joining many other criticial voices on the subject. “The immediate priorities include the drought property [prices], and unemployment. There is a huge demand for housing. There is a huge demand for employment. There is a huge demand for adequate healthcare and there is a call for major improvements in our education system,” he told New Era.
“Every year the unemployment rate increases, because of school dropouts and school leavers after Grade 12, who cannot go for further studies. We have a crisis with the fuel price, and with the currency [exchange] rate against other currencies.”
He said all these factors add up to put the country under immense socio-economic pressure. He further mentioned the water crisis the country faces and the fact that half the population must still use the bush, because of a lack of proper sanitation facilities.
“When you add all these things up and you balance it on a scale, which interest will weigh higher: a parliament building or all these crises I just mentioned?” he asked.
“You don’t need to be a genius to see that a new parliament building does not weigh up against all these priorities,” Walters added. According to the Ombudsman the legislators should ask themselves if that was what the people elected them for.
While he would not deny any parliamentarian a comfortable seat, he says to overlook the many crises the country faces in favour of a very cozy seat should not be a priority for the lawmakers.
“My plea would be for the legislators to go and think it over. Go back and look at the crises the country faces and look at the merits and demerits of a new parliament against that and decide for themselves what is more important.”
Should MPs decide to proceed with erecting a new parliament building, Walters said, “All we can then say to them is: It is on your conscience”.
In the same vein, Walters said there is also the issue of the Prime Minister’s office renovations, that will cost N$1 billion, which is also a bone of contention. He called for participation of the electorate and noted that parliament has committees that deal with these issues.
People are allowed to ask their constituency representatives whether something has been dealt with at committee level and whether consultations have taken place.
Walters says a citizen can ask any parliamentarian: “Did you have a meeting with your constituents to discuss the pros and cons of a new parliament building?”
“That is how you consult,” Walters continued and added that public meetings should be held to engage citizens on major developments.
He said there is an ominous lack of citizen participation in pertinent matters, which leads to people air their concerns on social media. Therefore, parliament should provide platforms for the electorate to make their input in crucial matters.
He said matters such as the building of a new parliament building should have public input and the legislators must not just decide to do something without inviting the electorate to have their say.