The National Council Chairperson, Lukas Muha, has expressed the need for the upper house and regional councils to engage communities to listen to their concerns.

This will help in the formulation of development agendas and legislative frameworks.

Muha made these remarks at the opening of the three-day joint conference between the National Council and Regional Councils at Tsumeb.

He said the upper house and regional councils must harness their roles and mandates to drive inclusive regional development.

"In a vibrant democratic setting like ours, public participation is a cornerstone. It is through the active involvement of our citizens that we can ensure our policies and decisions reflect the true needs and aspirations of the people we serve and people that we represent."

The Chairperson of the National Council emphasised that such joint conferences are crucial to driving the need for public participation.

"It is correct to say that the National Council ought to champion public participation at the legislative level, while the Regional Councils ought to champion public participation at the regional development level as provided by the Constitution and subordinate legislation."

The conference will also review and discuss the Regional Constituency Development Fund, areas of mutual interest in politics and administration, as well as the distinctions and roles between the National Council and Regional Councils.

"I have no doubt that through open dialogue, strategic collaborations, and a shared vision, we can transform our regions into hubs of development, where every citizen feels empowered and included in decision-making processes that affect our lives."

The conference is being held under the theme Harnessing the Role and Mandates of the National Council and the Regional Councils for Greater Public Participation and Regional Development.