Opposition parties and parliamentarians have expressed disappointment towards ministers who failed to attend the National Assembly to answer questions on Thursday.
Their disappointment was exacerbated by an empty chamber when most ministers did not show up.
National Unity Democratic Organisation parliamentarian Vetaruhe Kandorozu describes the situation as disheartening as there were urgent matters to attend to.
“It is very disheartening to have an empty chamber. Let me give a standing ovation to Ericah Shafudah for being the only executive present from all ministers apart from deputy ministers.
“She knew that today they are accountable to the electorate,” he says.
In response, Swapo chief whip Uahekua Herunga says the absentees have notified his office and have been given permission to do so.
His deputy, Paula kooper, says the ministers are accompanying president Netumbo Nandid-Ndaitwah to the Namibia-Botswana binational commission and the street renaming event.
Independent Patriots for Change’s Nelson Kalangula says this is the time parliamentarians have come to realise that executives should respect parliament.
“They are accountable to parliament, on a day like this, on a Thursday, they should be here to answer questions, which is the only day they are accorded to account to the nation,” he says.
Kalangula suggests that the executive reorganise itself and choose a different day as long as the parliament sessions are ongoing.
Popular Democratic Movement president McHenry Venaani accuses minister of works and transport Veikko Nekundi of avoiding sessions.
“Nekundi is dodging every Thursday and he is running a very important ministry. We have many questions not addressed. Cabinet is failing ministerial accountability,” he says.
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