MPs reject N$398m allocated to National Assembly budget

Opposition members of parliament (MPs) on Friday refused to accept the amount allocated to the National Assembly budget, citing that the funds are not enough.

This comes after several MPs bemoaned the lack of funds for the National Assembly to run its functions uninterrupted.

The National Assembly was allocated over N$398 million for the 2025/26 financial year.

In the previous year, the National Assembly was allocated a budget of over N$190 million.

The current budget has now been referred to the budget and finance comittee for review.

The committee’s comprehensive review is still ongoing.

During the National Assembly session on Friday, Affirmative Repositioning leader Job Amupanda argued that it is unacceptable.

“We cannot allow this. We are being told that a comprehensive review is still ongoing and in the meantime we must agree and approve the budget while our concerns have not been satisfied,” he said.

Popular Democratic Movement president McHenry Venaani also expressed concerns in the manner the budget is being handled.

He believes there is a lack of urgency citing the lack funds will impede the assembly from fully doing its job.

“My particular concern is the committee functionality and lack of office spaces. We have members who do not have offices. What we are asking is for all of us to move an inch and meet half way,” he said.

He suggested that the Office of the Prime Minister should take from its drought relief budget and give to National Assembly since the country recieved enough rainfall.

Swapo member of parliament and the budget and finance committee member Austin Samupwa, clarified that the review will not halt any operations.

Sampuwa added that the National Assembly will still use its current funds to carry on its functions until the review has been completed.

Independent Patriots for Change leader of opposition Imms Nashinge specifically argued that the N$5 million allocated to the development budget, is not enough.

“We have five of our members sharing one office. Imagine. We are asking the finance minister to meet us half way. But we cannot conclude this budget until our concerns are satisfied,” he said.

National Democratic Party leader Martin Lukato is of the view that the current National Assembly must rectify past mistakes of not allocating enough funds to the National Assembly.