Windhoek
President Hage Geingob yesterday refused to be drawn into a debate over plans to construct a new parliament building at a cost of N$700 million, saying the legislature must rule on the subject.
Ironically, he made the remarks in parliament gardens where the official opening of the third session of the sixth parliament was taking place in a marquee tent due to a shortage of space in the normal parliament chambers.
Geingob reiterated that the executive would not interfere with the legislature, as lawmakers sat listening attentively in the scorching heat.
“In terms of this, each of these State organs has to act independently and that is good, because it provides for checks and balances in our democracy.
“To underscore this point, the executive cannot interfere in the legislature, just as the legislature cannot interfere in the day-to-day operations of the executive or the judiciary,” said Geingob, who further indicated that he has received numerous messages to halt the construction of a new parliament building.
He said calls to abandon plans to build a new parliament building should be directed to the speaker of parliament and not to the presidency, and suggested that lawmakers convene an open debate to discuss the issue.
The President further assured the country that government would continue to prioritise developmental issues over the construction of new buildings.
“That is why the bulk, of our budgetary resources, has always and continues to be directed towards the education and health sectors. Construction of buildings that are symbols of key institutions has never enjoyed priority over developmental objectives,” he said, as he refuted claims that the government is cash-strapped.
“The state of our nation is sound,” President Geingob declared.
After the opening, parliamentarians could be heard mumbling that the fact that they had to endure harsh conditions in the tent yesterday – as the current National Assembly building does not have the capacity to host joint sessions – is reason enough for a new building.
“Can you imagine the executive, judiciary and the legislature in a tent?” asked Information Minister Tjekero Tweya after the event, as he argued in favour of a new building.
National Assembly Speaker Peter Katjavivi, while delivering his welcoming remarks, also stressed the point that the construction of a new parliament building is imperative.
GRAND ENTRANCE
President Geingob’s procession from State House – which included First Lady Monica Geingos – arrived amid police sirens with school learners welcoming him at the main entrance to the parliament grounds.
Soon after his arrival Presidcent Geingob inspected a guard of honour mounted by soldiers from the presidential guard, who stood braced in the afternoon sunshine to carry out their national duty, before he proceeded to the tent to address the 146 MPs gathered there.
When Geingob took to the podium to deliver his address he hailed the two former presidents and the two former speakers of parliament for their contributions to the country.
Geingob also said: “We have a growing and a stable economy and we continue to be favourably rated by international rating agencies.”
He further indicated that he will explore at greater depth the question of how the country is faring when he delivers his State of the Nation Address.
He then announced that the Harambee Prosperity Plan would also be released during the State of Nation Address.
While reading his 10-page speech from a teleprompter, Geingob encouraged lawmakers to put aside personal differences and the desire to settle scores: “Let us think of our people. Let us think of the poor and pull together as one people in one direction with one goal: prosperity for all.”
With government having been summoned to court on several occasions in recent years – mainly due to procedures relating to the awarding of state contracts – the president stressed the need for inclusive and transparent processes.
“We need processes that will instill confidence in our democracy and that will minimise the risks of rumour-mongering and conspiracy theories,” he said.
“For instance, our electoral processes must be transparent and above board so that those who lose elections admit that they have been defeated in a transparent way and do not complain and run to the courts,” Geingob advised. He said government wants to achieve the same with regards to the public tender system.
“That is why we have cancelled tenders due to processes and procedures that were questionable,” said Geingob, who was earlier this month cited as a respondent in a lawsuit over the controversial NamPower 250MW tender in which Xaris Energy was granted preferred bidder status.