Shoddy legislation passed in a hurry
I HAVE a few burning national issues to share with my fellow countrymen and women.
I absolutely fail to understand how the political leadership
understands their responsibilities and accountability in general.
It is a serious cause of concern to see how irresponsible our
representatives can be at the expense of the landless poor.
I think the relevant legislation is very clear on who should
take what stringent steps and when.
The song about the absenteeism of MPs is getting old and
requires urgent action if democracy is to prosper in this
country.
Something tells me that it was excellent idea that MPs should
declare their assets and financial interests - although this would
not eliminate nepotism, corruption and fraud etc.
However, it is deplorable that all these warnings as well as the
introduction of sound practices and measures are falling on deaf
ears because of the hunger for personal gain.
His Excellency, the President, has on numerous occasions warned
MPs to take their parliamentary duties seriously and to at least
respect the 'Oath of Office' they have taken.
I wonder in whose interest parliamentarians rush through
legislation, just for it to be patched up with the addition of
amendments to suit the interest of certain individuals.
There appears to be an attitude of 'I have to pass it and I need
not respect it', or, 'I can either break it or amend it any time.'
How fast can those MPs, who so frequently neglect their duties,
enact laws.
This haste seems to be the new order nowadays in Namibia? They
rather spend more time on their personal business and respective
interests in the constituency from where they hail.
When will the Government remove the "big thorn" (fraud at local
authorities) in our sides and implement stringent disciplinary
action against the CEOs convicted of corruption and fraud? I
believe that stolen funds should be returned and those responsible
should be fired as remedial steps in the search for a permanent
solution to the saga.
It seems that democracy is busy dying a natural death since
elections don't take place as scheduled.
The leadership simply doesn't want to relinquish positions any
longer or make way for others.
I agree with those who feel that the National Council should
rather be strengthened - not abolished.
My argument is based on the time consuming and much talked about
decentralisation policy.
I strongly feel the electorate should have reputable local
political representatives at National Council level who know their
voters' problems and collective interests.
Let the grassroots decided their own fate.
Land tax is another matter for concern.
In my personal opinion, poor and innocent targets will be
punished in the end.
Some emerging commercial farmers are struggling to repay their
loans to Agribank.
Imagine how they will cope with that financial burden coupled
with the prevailing drought situation if it does not rain
enough.
We must remember that the success of good governance is not
measured by the number of useless legislation, but rather by the
successful implementation of these laws in the best interest of the
public at large.
Finally, we should get serious about the enactment of
legislation, and, equally serious about the speedy implementation
thereof.
Otherwise we can throw them in a waste bin- once again at the
expense of the poor electorate.
Leaders should ensure that all elections take place as
stipulated in the respective laws and not be delayed
unnecessarily.
We must bear in mind that lawmakers and law drafters have
already been paid for their role, and, next in the line are the
implementors.
Let's forge together energy, scarce resources and every second
available to put the existing golden opportunities to good use in
our mutual interest.
Remember that turning a blind eye to reality, truth and facts
borders on selfishness and self-enrichment schemes.
We should remember that those political offices are temporary
positions.
B.A.
- Hambira Concerned Analyst - Karas Region
It is a serious cause of concern to see how irresponsible our
representatives can be at the expense of the landless poor. I think
the relevant legislation is very clear on who should take what
stringent steps and when. The song about the absenteeism of MPs is
getting old and requires urgent action if democracy is to prosper
in this country. Something tells me that it was excellent idea that
MPs should declare their assets and financial interests - although
this would not eliminate nepotism, corruption and fraud etc.
However, it is deplorable that all these warnings as well as the
introduction of sound practices and measures are falling on deaf
ears because of the hunger for personal gain. His Excellency, the
President, has on numerous occasions warned MPs to take their
parliamentary duties seriously and to at least respect the 'Oath of
Office' they have taken. I wonder in whose interest
parliamentarians rush through legislation, just for it to be
patched up with the addition of amendments to suit the interest of
certain individuals. There appears to be an attitude of 'I have to
pass it and I need not respect it', or, 'I can either break it or
amend it any time.' How fast can those MPs, who so frequently
neglect their duties, enact laws. This haste seems to be the new
order nowadays in Namibia? They rather spend more time on their
personal business and respective interests in the constituency from
where they hail. When will the Government remove the "big thorn"
(fraud at local authorities) in our sides and implement stringent
disciplinary action against the CEOs convicted of corruption and
fraud? I believe that stolen funds should be returned and those
responsible should be fired as remedial steps in the search for a
permanent solution to the saga. It seems that democracy is busy
dying a natural death since elections don't take place as
scheduled. The leadership simply doesn't want to relinquish
positions any longer or make way for others. I agree with those who
feel that the National Council should rather be strengthened - not
abolished. My argument is based on the time consuming and much
talked about decentralisation policy. I strongly feel the
electorate should have reputable local political representatives at
National Council level who know their voters' problems and
collective interests. Let the grassroots decided their own fate.
Land tax is another matter for concern. In my personal opinion,
poor and innocent targets will be punished in the end. Some
emerging commercial farmers are struggling to repay their loans to
Agribank. Imagine how they will cope with that financial burden
coupled with the prevailing drought situation if it does not rain
enough. We must remember that the success of good governance is not
measured by the number of useless legislation, but rather by the
successful implementation of these laws in the best interest of the
public at large. Finally, we should get serious about the enactment
of legislation, and, equally serious about the speedy
implementation thereof. Otherwise we can throw them in a waste bin-
once again at the expense of the poor electorate. Leaders should
ensure that all elections take place as stipulated in the
respective laws and not be delayed unnecessarily. We must bear in
mind that lawmakers and law drafters have already been paid for
their role, and, next in the line are the implementors. Let's forge
together energy, scarce resources and every second available to put
the existing golden opportunities to good use in our mutual
interest. Remember that turning a blind eye to reality, truth and
facts borders on selfishness and self-enrichment schemes. We should
remember that those political offices are temporary
positions.
B.A. - Hambira Concerned Analyst - Karas Region