With plans seemingly set to go ahead with the builiding of a new Parliament building which will cost N$2,4 billion, The Weekender team asks readers if their voices are being heard on the contentious issue…
I just think it’s way too much. I mean is Namibia that rich? Free education, now this… I think it’s too much money. What’s wrong with our current house? For this, I think it’s so important for each voice to be heard since they all count.
Well, I think the old Parliament is still fine. They should focus on more important things like building houses for people who live in shacks. I mean, they have the money to do that.
They should focus on the infrastructure of this country – build more schools and hospitals. Provide more jobs and vocational centres. We are a population of approximately 2,4 million people and I think it’s time to make a change. We should stop focusing on things that won’t uplift the standards of this economy. That we can do later when all is well.
I don’t see a problem with it as long as they’re using it to make serious decisions and not just sleep and do nothing. I don’t know why most of the unemployed people are the ones complaining about this issue like it’s their tax money.
This new Parliament is going to cost a lot of money yes, but building it is going to create employment for the local community. And as soon as it’s done being built, people are are still going to be hired or looking for jobs in that same place you guys are complaining about. Think outside the box.
As a youth, I still have many years to live, God willing. If I fail to voice my views now to suit the status quo, I will have myself to blame when things fall apart in future.
As youth, we need to think strategically. The new Parliament is not a priority. We should first deal with servicing of urban land, provision of decent housing, poverty alleviation, construction of a tertiary referral hospital in Windhoek, providing studying funds for all eligible students, construction of a base load power station and desalination plant, things that will add value to our future.
Only then we can start planning for the construction of a new Parliament and other secondary priority projects.
As a voting citizen, I expect our representative government to take note of our concerns with regards to undertaking such a costly project. Public opposing in a democracy such as ours should override a few individuals lust for such ‘extravaganism’. Isn’t our plight much more important than some fancy real estate?
I just want to know why they need an entertainment area, ‘gym’ and amphitheatre? I don’t think we need a new Parliament at the current moment. Maybe after 10 years when they are done building schools in rural areas and servicing land for the landless – as in those people who live in shacks and not for the wellbing of their family and friends.
Currently, we have so many problems that can be fixed with that N$2,4 billion. Besides, we all know that it’s not going to be N$2,4 billion only. In Namibia, the allocated budget never stays the same (it always increases) because somebody has to ‘pocket’ from that amount. In Namibia, tenderpreneurs first splash on themselves with government tenders (money) then use the ‘change’ to finish the tender!
From my side, I think it’s not the best decision as some of that money can be used to help those who really need it. There are still towns in Namibia with no public toilets and also, the old Parliament is still in good condition. For many, that money will not reach the basic needs while the government wants to meet their wants.
The idea of building the new Parliament which everyone who will have the privilege of working in will feel comfortable in is not wrong, but the time could be wrong considering other important matters that should be attended to first.
Moving from the old Parliament to the new Parliament with the same mindset, or better still, with a corruptible mentality, will make no difference. It will be difficult to contribute a better idea just because they are in the new Parliament.
The focus for now should be on how to serve the nation and make potential leaders out of the new generation who will have what it will take to build a Parliament in future, when the time is right. The time is definitely not now. Let those with a positive mind begin to think afresh (have new ideas and not a new Parliament) and dream big while still in the old Parliament.
We are a republic and people’s voices should be heard, especially if the majority disagree with governments plans. We have more vital issues that need those funds instead of building a new Parliament.
Our voices collectively speak for the nation. That amount of money can be used for sustainable projects, poverty reduction, shortages in housing and more. It’s not important to own a Parliament valued at N$2,4 billion when we have people suffering to make ends meet.
