Speaker of the National Assembly, Professor Peter Katjavivi has appealed for assistance from the European Union (EU) to set up a parliament budget committee that would play a critical role in ensuring adequate funding of the legislature. Katjavivi made the appeal during his meeting with European Union (EU) Ambassador to Namibia, Sinikka Antila on Wednesday. According to a media statement Wednesday, Katjavivi, during his meeting said there is a need to set up a budget committee to review the budget of Parliament in consultation with the Minister of Finance as currently the budget comes straight from the Ministry of Finance with the Speaker only presenting it. Katjavivi further told Antila that the august house also needs more assistance from the EU with a 2019 programme initiated by the EU aimed at enhancing participatory democracy in Namibia that targets both civil society organisations and Members of Parliament. Furthermore, he reiterated the importance of digitalisation adding that it has made the work of Parliament easy and cost-effective. “The pandemic has transformed our operations. Our chamber is now equipped with digital gadgets making our work much easier. However, we still need additional resources, infrastructure and capacity building and that’s where your support is needed,” stated Katjavivi. He said various other partners such as the World Bank and parliaments of Finland and Germany have offered their support in the Namibian Parliament’s quest for both digitalisation and capacity building. According to the statement, Antila said the union is looking into investing in areas of foundational skills and inclusive green growth, and to complement the two areas of specialisation identified by the EU. Governance has also been added as part of initiatives to be implemented by the EU. She promised to offer support to the Namibian parliament in this specific area adding that the European Union has always been a willing partner in efforts aimed at enhancing the work of parliament. -NAMPA