National Council MPs weigh the pros and cons of 2005-06 Budget

A SWAPO MP has called on financial institutions to provide financial assistance for the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The appeal was made by Arma Martin in the National Council during debate on the Appropriation Bill. “They must not only make profits from SMEs’ savings but must also give them easy access to credit facilities,” said Martin, the Councillor for the Oshakati West constituency.Swapo’s John Nakwafila welcomed the amount allocated to the Ministry of Health and Social Services in the 2005-2006 Budget.Nakwafila said it would enable the Ministry to build additional clinics in rural areas.”Our people are walking long distances to the health centres but in some cases people die without getting medical attention because of long distances,” said Nakwafila.He said in his region, Ohangwena, for example, new health facilities had been planned at Onamunama, Omuhongo, Oshaango and Onambaladi, but this had not happened because of a lack of funds.Nakwafila said the more than N$668 million allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry was a good amount.”As we know, Namibia is a dry country and water scarcity is a problem facing most communities,” he said.”And I am happy that some of the money allocated to this Ministry will be used to construct water infrastructure countrywide.”Hilma Nicanor, a Swapo MP from Keetmanshoop, said she was glad that the Budget placed emphasis on strict fiscal discipline.She said this would ensure that Government confined its priorities to improving the wellbeing of citizens.”I see this move totally in conformity with the call of our President, His Excellency Hifikepunye Pohamba, for proper management of the country’s resources while serving the people of Namibia effectively and efficiently,” said Nicanor.”They must not only make profits from SMEs’ savings but must also give them easy access to credit facilities,” said Martin, the Councillor for the Oshakati West constituency.Swapo’s John Nakwafila welcomed the amount allocated to the Ministry of Health and Social Services in the 2005-2006 Budget.Nakwafila said it would enable the Ministry to build additional clinics in rural areas.”Our people are walking long distances to the health centres but in some cases people die without getting medical attention because of long distances,” said Nakwafila.He said in his region, Ohangwena, for example, new health facilities had been planned at Onamunama, Omuhongo, Oshaango and Onambaladi, but this had not happened because of a lack of funds.Nakwafila said the more than N$668 million allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry was a good amount.”As we know, Namibia is a dry country and water scarcity is a problem facing most communities,” he said.”And I am happy that some of the money allocated to this Ministry will be used to construct water infrastructure countrywide.”Hilma Nicanor, a Swapo MP from Keetmanshoop, said she was glad that the Budget placed emphasis on strict fiscal discipline.She said this would ensure that Government confined its priorities to improving the wellbeing of citizens.”I see this move totally in conformity with the call of our President, His Excellency Hifikepunye Pohamba, for proper management of the country’s resources while serving the people of Namibia effectively and efficiently,” said Nicanor.