The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism commended Finance Minister Erica Shafudah for what she describes as a responsible and realistic budget review amid declining diamond revenues, slower economic growth and rising debt-servicing costs.

Indileni Daniel further urged Parliament to focus not only on demanding additional allocations but also on ensuring that approved public funds are spent effectively, transparently and accountably.

"We must be realistic and honest in our deliberations and offer solutions that are not continuously criticising. Namibia's economic challenges cannot be resolved overnight, and the government cannot satisfy every demand within one financial year. However, what matters is that we remain focused, disciplined, committed and to the priority; we deliver the greatest benefit."

Official Opposition Leader and IPC MP, Immanuel Nashinge, criticised the government's mid-year budget review, arguing that it fails to adequately address poverty, unemployment and the economic challenges facing ordinary Namibians.

"The main budget projected GDP growth of 3.1% for 2026. This has now been slashed by 0.8% points to a sluggish 2.3%, while the ministry projects a slight recovery to 2.6% in 2027 and the 3.0% in 2028. This growth rate remains far below the 6% annual growth required to meaningfully reduce poverty and absorb the tens of thousands of young Americans entering the labour market every year."

Other MPs also made their contributions.

"The growth of our economy remains uneven, fluctuating commodity prices are dropping significantly," said APP Leader, Ambrosius Kumbwa. 

Body of Christ party leader Bishop Festus Thomas stated, "There is no emergency employment programme, there is no concrete stimulus for SMEs, and there is no deliberate youth empowerment fund. How do we justify this?"

"I urge the vulnerable minister to direct NamRa to implement a robust, accretive revenue mobilisation strategy in its northern projects to properly fund government objectives," said NUDO MP, Vetaruhe Kandorozu.

Swapo Party MPs Sebastiaan Karupu and Justina Jonas also contributed. 

"The government did not say yes to everything; it kept the deficit at the level as planned in February. Instead, every ministry gave up 2% of its spending limit, and that money was moved to where the need is most urgent."

"For Namibian workers, this review must answer a simple question. Is the budget improving decent work, fair wages, safe workplaces, skilled development, social protection and the cost of living? Workers are not a cost to the economy; they are its driving force. They produce, pay taxes, sustain households and carry national development on their shoulders."

IPC MP Nelson Kalangula urged, "The efforts to investigate and curtail fraud and irregularities within the public service employees medical aid scheme CMAS are commendable. Government should not end there. These audits and anti-fraud operations must be extended across all line ministries and state agencies to safeguard every cent of public revenue."

LPM MP Eneas Emvula pointed out, "Economic development needs local production and not just procurement budgets. For instance, none of the 54 local authorities as economic drivers received funding for local economic development stipulation."