Members of Parliament pump up the volume

THE winter session of the National Assembly started yesterday with opposition MPs peppering Cabinet Ministers with questions about the economy, health and development.

McHenry Venaani of the DTA asked Finance Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila about the state of the Namibian economy with regard to the global economic crisis and possible job losses. ‘What will be the impact of the deficit in the revenue pool of the Southern African Customs Union (Sacu) for our next national budget?’ Venaani wanted to know. Namibia receives about N$8 billion a year – almost 40 per cent of national revenue – from Sacu. Venaani further asked whether Government would consider bailouts for some economic sectors in Namibia should they be hard hit by the global recession. Venaani also wants an update on the progress made – or not – on exploiting the offshore Kudu gas field.In addition, he wanted to know whether it is true that Government still owes N$80 million to the Windhoek municipality for the provision of basic services it underwrote for the collapsed Ramatex textile factory about eight years ago.OXYGEN ANDELEVATORSDTA President Katuutire Kaura asked Health Minster Richard Kamwi whether he is aware that three of the five elevators in the Katutura State Hospital have been out of order for three weeks.He also asked why that hospital frequently runs out of oxygen. ‘Does this not place the security of patients in jeopardy and what do you intend to do about that?’ Kaura wanted to know.Alfred Chilinda of the Congress of Democrats (CoD) questioned Government’s priorities with regard to the floods in the Caprivi Region.’Government provided fodder for wild buffaloes trapped by surrounding floodwaters earlier this year but Government ignored cattle that had to be left behind by people who had to abandon their homes. Were buffaloes more important than the livelihood of the people?’ Chilinda asked Prime Minister Nahas Angula.He also asked that schools and villages close to electricity lines be connected to the power grid. ‘What are the selection criteria to decide which schools or villages qualify to be connected?’ he asked. Chilinda also asked Agriculture Minister John Mutorwa when the movement and sales ban on livestock in the Caprivi would be lifted. There has been a foot-and-mouth disease quarantine in the region for about 18 months.The Ministers have until next week to respond to the questions.