The National Council has started a special session to discuss urgent pending matters before it adjourns tomorrow.

During the session, the council will discuss the Namibia Student Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) Amendment Bill tabled by the Minister of Higher Education, Technology, and Innovation, Itah Kandjii-Murangi.

The bill aims to officially reintegrate NSFAF back into the Ministry of Higher Education, following a 2021 Cabinet decision.

The National Assembly passed this bill and sent it to the council for review.

The Chairperson of the National Council, Lukas Muha, said the urgent session was called because of serious concerns about student funding.

The government wants to improve the way students are supported financially.

"The special session is caused by the limited time between today and Wednesday, the 19th of March 2025. That the 7th National Assembly is set to end business of the term of 2020 to 2025 in order to pave the way for the swearing in of the 8th National Assembly following the Presidential and National Assembly elections held last year in November 2024."

Muha also mentioned that before this urgent session, the council had received another important bill, i.e., the Roads Bill tabled by Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa.

The idea behind the Roads Bill is to ensure that all trunk, main, and district roads are fenced off.

The bill was supposed to be discussed in the next ordinary session.

However, for fairness, Muha introduced it now so that council members could decide when to discuss it.

Swapo Party MP Richard Gaoseb said the Roads Bill is important and needs careful review, as special attention should be given to how the board of the Roads Authority is selected.

Goaseb also raised worries about local authorities.

He suggested that the council delay discussing the Roads Bill until tomorrow.