Debate issues, not people: Speaker

PERSONAL ambition and scrambling for public space should not play a role in parliamentary debates, and Members of Parliament should rather debate issues instead of concentrating on people, the Speaker of the National Assembly said on Tuesday as the House resumed business for the year.

The session only lasted one hour. “Public debate should be informed and service oriented.The last session end of 2007 left a lot of unfinished business,” Speaker Theo-Ben Gurirab said.”If Namibia is going to meet the deadlines of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Vision 2030 and other national priorities of employment, poverty, ownership equity and skills deficit, our country is clearly found wanting at this stage.We read about global economic slowdown and recession.Are we ready for that threat?” he asked the House.”During this sitting the House cannot avoid paying urgent attention to the near and real crisis like the previous drought and current flood damages, the energy crunch, climate change, increased manifestations of organised crime and domestic violence.””Transformation required mind change, courage, discipline and hard work to turn around poverty and underdevelopment and achieve prosperity,” the Speaker said.Members of the opposition parties had prepared many questions to Cabinet ministers on health matters, housing, drought relief, the fate of failed Grade 10 pupils who will not be allowed to repeat the grade despite two Ministers announcing the contrary at recent Swapo rallies.Nora Schimming-Chase of the Congress of Democrats (CoD) asked Justice Minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana whether she had new information on the missing N$100 million of the Offshore Development Company (ODC).”I am asking this because it was reported that you said at a recent Swapo rally that RDP party members were allegedly responsible for the loss of that sum.What happened? Do you first report to Swapo rallies and when did you get that information?” the CoD Member asked.She also wanted to know from the Minister when she intended to give feedback to the House on the ODC money scandal.DTA Member McHenry Venaani wants Works and Transport Minister Joel Kaapanda to tell MPs whether the northern railway project is viable, how many tonnes of cargo are being transported on that railway and what the total construction costs were.DTA stalwart Philemon Moongo will table three motions – to increase allowances for tribal chiefs and headmen, Government funding provisions to political parties for by-elections and that Police at roadblocks receive roofing for shade and proper toilets.”Public debate should be informed and service oriented.The last session end of 2007 left a lot of unfinished business,” Speaker Theo-Ben Gurirab said.”If Namibia is going to meet the deadlines of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Vision 2030 and other national priorities of employment, poverty, ownership equity and skills deficit, our country is clearly found wanting at this stage.We read about global economic slowdown and recession.Are we ready for that threat?” he asked the House.”During this sitting the House cannot avoid paying urgent attention to the near and real crisis like the previous drought and current flood damages, the energy crunch, climate change, increased manifestations of organised crime and domestic violence.””Transformation required mind change, courage, discipline and hard work to turn around poverty and underdevelopment and achieve prosperity,” the Speaker said.Members of the opposition parties had prepared many questions to Cabinet ministers on health matters, housing, drought relief, the fate of failed Grade 10 pupils who will not be allowed to repeat the grade despite two Ministers announcing the contrary at recent Swapo rallies.Nora Schimming-Chase of the Congress of Democrats (CoD) asked Justice Minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana whether she had new information on the missing N$100 million of the Offshore Development Company (ODC).”I am asking this because it was reported that you said at a recent Swapo rally that RDP party members were allegedly responsible for the loss of that sum.What happened? Do you first report to Swapo rallies and when did you get that information?” the CoD Member asked.She also wanted to know from the Minister when she intended to give feedback to the House on the ODC money scandal.DTA Member McHenry Venaani wants Works and Transport Minister Joel Kaapanda to tell MPs whether the northern railway project is viable, how many tonnes of cargo are being transported on that railway and what the total construction costs were.DTA stalwart Philemon Moongo will table three motions – to increase allowances for tribal chiefs and headmen, Government funding provisions to political parties for by-elections and that Police at roadblocks receive roofing for shade and proper toilets.