The National Council has built the capacity of its Members of Parliament to become effective lawmakers.

Speaking at the opening of the 10th session of the council this morning, Chairperson Lukas Muha said they have managed to empower their members in various areas in terms of diplomacy, protocol, and etiquette.

He applauded the parliamentary standing committees for their commitment and successful undertaking of oversight visits during the July–November interval.

The National Council is set to kick off with its 10th session on Monday, November 20, 2023.

The upper house will consider bills referred by the National Assembly, reports of standing committees, and any other business.

The Executive Director of the National Council, Tousy Namiseb, provided insights into the upcoming session on Inside the Chambers.

Being on recess does not necessarily mean a holiday for the MPs, as they are tasked with oversight activities away from the chambers.

The spouses of National Council members underwent a week-long training in Otjiwarongo focused on protocol, etiquette, and diplomacy.

This training aimed to provide them with a better understanding of the professional responsibilities of their spouses, who also serve as regional councillors.

The role of regional councillors, who also serve as MPs, is highly demanding.

An envisaged upgrade of a 140-kilometre gravel road between Aussenkehr and Luderitz in the ||Kharas Region to a standard bitumen road will enable grape producing farmers to export their produce directly to the European market through the port of Luderitz.

This is according to Alfeus Kaushiweni, the Chairperson of the National Council Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure, and Roads.

A Bill that seeks to introduce amendments to existing regulations governing the livestock industry and its associated products took centre stage in the National Council today.

With Namibia's agricultural sector playing a pivotal role in the country's economy and the livelihoods of many citizens, the Livestock and Livestock Products Amendment Bill garnered significant attention and highlighted the importance of robust legislation to support the industry's growth and sustainability.

Discussion on the Civil Registration and Identification Bill has been postponed to September 2023 when the session resumes.

The National Assembly concluded its current session today and entered a recess period with the plan to reconvene on September 5. 

Meanwhile, the National Council is expected to conclude its session next week, July 20.

Today's National Council session primarily focused on payment system management, trust administration, access to housing finance, and banking regulations, emphasising the urgency of addressing these issues as they directly impact the well-being of Namibians.

Of particular importance during the deliberations was the recognition of the challenges posed by urban and rural migration.

To tackle this issue effectively, MPs stressed the need for banking institutions to play a pivotal role in supporting the acquisition of land and housing in settlements and rural areas.

The National Council has given its endorsement to a series of proposed Bills and amendments, marking a significant step toward their eventual enactment into law.

The bills, which were sent to the Upper House by the National Assembly for further scrutiny, underwent extensive debate and deliberation.

During the committee stage of the National Council's proceedings, Victoria Kauma, Chairperson of the Council Committee and Deputy Chairperson of the National Council, reported the agreed Bills as accepted without any amendments.

In a riveting display of legislative activity, the National Council convened for a session filled with impassioned debates, crucial referrals, and strategic adjournments. 

The upper house delved into a diverse range of Bills, aimed at shaping the nation's legal landscape.

The Financial Intelligence Amendment Bill emerged as a focal point of contention, with legislators engaging in a spirited debate during its second reading.

Several bills have been referred to the National Council, including the Financial Intelligence Amendment, the Extradition Amendment, and the International Cooperation in Criminal Matters Amendment Bill.

These Bills cover livestock regulations, virtual assets, organised crime prevention, and combating terrorist activities.

The National Assembly passed the Bills in the past two weeks, and they have now been referred to the upper house for review.