Slow start for National Assembly after recess

THE National Assembly had a slow start yesterday after a five-week recess, with the tea break drawn out to 45 minutes instead of the official time of 20 minutes.

Several members of the opposition, among them McHenry Venaani of the DTA, gave notice of motions they intend to table next week. Venaani wants the House to discuss the debts some communal farmers of the Okakarara area have with NamWater.Venaani will ask the House to debate on the possibility to have their debts recalculated and the repayment periods changed to avoid them and their animals going thirsty.The DTA politician will also ask the National Assembly to discuss the drought experienced in several regions and the possibility of Government assistance to people and their livestock.Ben Ulenga, who was recently re-elected as president of the oppositional Congress of Democrats (CoD), will table a motion about families losing their properties in northern Namibia in areas where towns have been newly proclaimed.Ulenga also asked John Pandeni, the Minister of Local, Regional Government and Housing, why water points in the proclaimed area of the northern town of Helao Nafidi were closed recently.”People and animals there have no access to clean water any more,” Ulenga criticised.Venaani wants the House to discuss the debts some communal farmers of the Okakarara area have with NamWater.Venaani will ask the House to debate on the possibility to have their debts recalculated and the repayment periods changed to avoid them and their animals going thirsty.The DTA politician will also ask the National Assembly to discuss the drought experienced in several regions and the possibility of Government assistance to people and their livestock.Ben Ulenga, who was recently re-elected as president of the oppositional Congress of Democrats (CoD), will table a motion about families losing their properties in northern Namibia in areas where towns have been newly proclaimed.Ulenga also asked John Pandeni, the Minister of Local, Regional Government and Housing, why water points in the proclaimed area of the northern town of Helao Nafidi were closed recently.”People and animals there have no access to clean water any more,” Ulenga criticised.