The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani has directed his Shadow Ministers to not limit their roles to the National Assembly.

Venaani urged the parliamentarians to go out and robustly engage the community.

"We must not be limited to the traditional role of the opposition and that is what I am hammering about, opposition politicians most of the time think, I come to parliament, I ask questions, it is good to hold the government to account, but we must be trend setters, to say, more debate in the National Assembly is generated by motions put forward by the PDM, but we must also increase the volume." 

McHenry Venaani further encouraged his team to hold the government accountable.

He made an example of the recent oil discovery off the coast of Namibia.

"Our Government has found oil resources, when we are saying debate and re-organize the oil deal, the Government does not want, we must lead the debate of our resources, to be shared for current and future generations, a small country like Paua Ne Ginue has negotiated their oil from 7% to 30%." 

Venaani also expressed concern at the rate of corruption including the dilapidating public infrastructure, saying it's a cause for concern, as the public is losing interest in state institutions.

"Unless the shadow cabinet internalizes the challenges of everyday Namibians, and starts to produce iron-clad, innovative solutions facing our country, we are at risk of being party to the failure of Government." 

The PDM shadow cabinet retreat will end on Monday next week.

Executive Directors of Ministries are also expected to address the shadow ministers.