The Chairperson of the National Council, Lukas Muha, has expressed dismay at the underperformance of the National Council for having tabled and endorsed only 10 reports to Parliament between 2020 and 2025.

Muha was speaking at the 7th National Council Standing Committee annual planning and budgeting session for the 2026/2027 financial year at Otjiwarongo.

Muha lamented that the National Council's execution rate was either extremely low or there are no proper records of what was done by the 6th National Council.

"Now, after five years, when we are asked to report as to how many reports were tabled and endorsed by parliament or national council in particular, we could only indicate the 10 that we could remember. Now here I am urging all chairpersons that are present here, with support staff that are here, to start already today, taking stock of what has been done and what we are going to do for the next five years."

Muha also expressed that the high turnover of members of parliament is also weakening standing committees.

"I pray that the current crop should get it right to continue being members of the national council even beyond 2030."

The Chairperson further urged Standing Committees to fully scrutinise budgets, monitor ministries, offices, and agencies, and ensure that institutions fulfil their mandates and be effective. 

The weeklong gathering is being held under the theme "Enhancing Parliamentary Oversight and Participatory Democracy".