National Council crippled by lack of funds

NATIONAL Council Vice Chairperson Margreth Mensah-Williams yesterday called on the Ministry of Finance to take the NC into consideration when drafting the country’s budget, saying that a lack of funds has hampered the last two council committees’ work in scrutinising recommended legislation.

The MP said that financial constraints had prevented the committees which last week held public hearings on two proposed laws to expand their consultation beyond Windhoek. The bills in question were the Children’s Status Bill and the State-Owned Enterprises Bill.”We’re not a duplicating body, we’re not here to be rubberstamps for anyone,” Mensah-Williams told fellow members.”If we can’t get public input, how do we ensure that the laws we pass are in the best interest of the public? Parliament is for the people, so Parliament has to go to the people,” she continued.She said the committee that held public hearings on the SOE Bill didn’t receive anything for their extra work besides snacks during the hearings.The bills in question were the Children’s Status Bill and the State-Owned Enterprises Bill.”We’re not a duplicating body, we’re not here to be rubberstamps for anyone,” Mensah-Williams told fellow members.”If we can’t get public input, how do we ensure that the laws we pass are in the best interest of the public? Parliament is for the people, so Parliament has to go to the people,” she continued.She said the committee that held public hearings on the SOE Bill didn’t receive anything for their extra work besides snacks during the hearings.