The National Assembly has approved an amount of about N$12.9 billion to be allocated to the Ministry of Finance.
Members of Parliament shared their views and suggestions on the budget prior to the approval of the vote.
Deputy Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs (MoDVA), Charles Mubita, motivated a N$1.52 billion budget for the vote of Veteran Affairs for the 2026-2027 financial year.
Dr Mubita said this budget will be aimed at improving the welfare of liberation struggle veterans and preserving Namibia's history.
The Finance Ministry has tabled a N$12.8 billion operational budget for the 2026-2027 financial year.
Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah, in tabling her ministry's budget, stated that it aims at sustaining core government functions and service delivery.
Speaker of the National Assembly Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila motivated a budget allocation of over N$410 million for the National Assembly and N$134 million for the National Council for the 2026-27 financial years.
The Independent Patriots for Change has cautioned against a proposal by Deputy Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs Charles Mubita to raise monthly allowances for liberation struggle veterans from two thousand two hundred dollars to five thousand, calling for fiscal responsibility and equity.
The president of the United Democratic Fund (UDF), Hendrik Gaobaeb, raised concerns around the ongoing dispute between the Kunene Regional Council and the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, highlighting wasteful use of public funds on private lawyers.
Discussions on the Appropriation Bill commenced today, with MPs stating that more should be put towards development projects rather than operational costs, which now exceed N$80 billion, with only N$3,6 billion allocated towards development expenditure.
Finance Minister Erica Shafudah will table the budget tomorrow in the National Assembly.
The national budget outlines key policy directions, spending priorities, and economic interventions that will directly impact households, businesses, and public institutions.
Research conducted by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) indicates that Namibia is on track to spend approximately N$1.6 billion subsidising political parties represented in Parliament over a 10-year period.
The Minister of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), Esperance Luvindao, was more displeased than happy when she recently inaugurated a multi-million dollar office building for the Oshakati Hospital management team.
In her view, there is more need to build health facilities than offices.
