Parliamentary committee needs more time to investigate high bank charges

THE Parliamentary Committee on Economics, Natural Resources and Public Administration has asked for more time to investigate high bank charges and making cycle lanes compulsory in Namibia.

The committee’s Deputy Chairperson, Peya Mushelenga, told the National Assembly this week that the three months allowed in terms of House rules had not been enough to conduct thorough investigations and consultations. During the last session last year, the Congress of Democrats’ Kala Gertze asked that the committee investigate complaints of high bank charges and make recommendations to lessen the burden on bank customers.Mushelenga informed the House that the committee had met several times on the matter and had compiled a working document including the contributions of MPs during debate as well as an overview of legislation which influences this matter.This had been done with the assistance of the Namibia Economic Policy Research Unit (Nepru).”To find an amicable solution to this problem, wide consultations with all the stakeholders, such as Bank of Namibia, the Bankers’ Association and the consumers in their own right is of the essence.The report-back time as set in the Rules of the House makes it difficult for this committee to investigate it properly and report back with credible recommendations,” said Mushelenga.Mushelenga added that a second motion, also introduced by Gertze, required the committee to form a joint committee with that of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social and Community Development and another on Constitutional and Legal Affairs.Because of time constraints, he said, this had not happened yet.Gertze had asked that the parliamentary committee consider whether special provision should be made to ensure the safety of cyclists on the roads.Mushelenga said because both the motions had reached his committee at around the same time and both were complex, the committee was approaching the National Assembly to grant it more time for proper investigations.He did not say when responses could be expected.During the last session last year, the Congress of Democrats’ Kala Gertze asked that the committee investigate complaints of high bank charges and make recommendations to lessen the burden on bank customers.Mushelenga informed the House that the committee had met several times on the matter and had compiled a working document including the contributions of MPs during debate as well as an overview of legislation which influences this matter.This had been done with the assistance of the Namibia Economic Policy Research Unit (Nepru).”To find an amicable solution to this problem, wide consultations with all the stakeholders, such as Bank of Namibia, the Bankers’ Association and the consumers in their own right is of the essence.The report-back time as set in the Rules of the House makes it difficult for this committee to investigate it properly and report back with credible recommendations,” said Mushelenga.Mushelenga added that a second motion, also introduced by Gertze, required the committee to form a joint committee with that of the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social and Community Development and another on Constitutional and Legal Affairs.Because of time constraints, he said, this had not happened yet.Gertze had asked that the parliamentary committee consider whether special provision should be made to ensure the safety of cyclists on the roads.Mushelenga said because both the motions had reached his committee at around the same time and both were complex, the committee was approaching the National Assembly to grant it more time for proper investigations.He did not say when responses could be expected.