National Council not happy with its budget

A NUMBER of Swapo MPs in the National Council (NC) yesterday expressed concern about the amount of money allocated to the House in the 2007/2008 Budget.

Speaking during debate on the N$31,6 million allocated to the NC, ruling party MP Leonard Mwilima said the money was not enough for the House to carry out its many important activities. “One wonders if this is not sabotage by somebody trying to make the National Council fail in its duties,” said Mwilima.He said he was aware that in previous financial years, National Council members had aired their concerns about the lack of resources allocated to the NC but they were now wondering if there was anyone listening.Mwilima said NC select committees get very little money to carry out their assignments and as a result a lot of important tasks have to be cut.”How can one expect these committees to come up with an accurate report if they have to suspend some crucial assignments due to this,” he asked.Mwilima said the NC was also short of staff members, as some, in addition to their office work, were serving more than one committee.Swapo’s Willem Appollus called on the House to ask for an additional N$10 million.”Let us now take the bull by its horns and humbly ask for another N$10 million to be able to accomplish our duties,” he told the House.Appolus said one should compare the money allocated to the National Council to the N$68,4 million allocated to the National Assembly.”The difference is N$37.8 million, which represents more than 50 per cent of the allocation,” said Appollus.He argued that the NC was the backbone of the Namibian Parliament and it was unacceptable that it has to operate on a meagre budget of about N$60 000 per standing committee.”I am humbly asking the members to make their voices heard to rectify this error.We are really treated as stepchildren of the Government,” Appollus added.Appollus said unlike the National Assembly, members of the National Council represent constituencies, which placed additional responsibilities on their shoulders.”To educate society on the acts passed is also part of our responsibility.We are also members of the Regional Government which is responsible for many local authorities in our regions,” he said.Swapo Chief Whip in the National Council Johnny Haikela Hakaye said he was also worried whether the money allocated to the NC would enable them to do what is expected of them by the nation.”One wonders if this is not sabotage by somebody trying to make the National Council fail in its duties,” said Mwilima.He said he was aware that in previous financial years, National Council members had aired their concerns about the lack of resources allocated to the NC but they were now wondering if there was anyone listening.Mwilima said NC select committees get very little money to carry out their assignments and as a result a lot of important tasks have to be cut.”How can one expect these committees to come up with an accurate report if they have to suspend some crucial assignments due to this,” he asked.Mwilima said the NC was also short of staff members, as some, in addition to their office work, were serving more than one committee.Swapo’s Willem Appollus called on the House to ask for an additional N$10 million.”Let us now take the bull by its horns and humbly ask for another N$10 million to be able to accomplish our duties,” he told the House.Appolus said one should compare the money allocated to the National Council to the N$68,4 million allocated to the National Assembly.”The difference is N$37.8 million, which represents more than 50 per cent of the allocation,” said Appollus.He argued that the NC was the backbone of the Namibian Parliament and it was unacceptable that it has to operate on a meagre budget of about N$60 000 per standing committee.”I am humbly asking the members to make their voices heard to rectify this error.We are really treated as stepchildren of the Government,” Appollus added.Appollus said unlike the National Assembly, members of the National Council represent constituencies, which placed additional responsibilities on their shoulders.”To educate society on the acts passed is also part of our responsibility.We are also members of the Regional Government which is responsible for many local authorities in our regions,” he said.Swapo Chief Whip in the National Council Johnny Haikela Hakaye said he was also worried whether the money allocated to the NC would enable them to do what is expected of them by the nation.