Rundu Rural Constituency Councillor Paulus Mbangu has denounced the budget allocations to the two Kavango regions this year.

Speaking in the National Council, Mbangu says the two Kavango Regions were identified as 'crisis regions, yet they were provided with few resources.

This Mbangu state hampers the execution of set agendas, particularly to address poverty in the two Kavango Regions.

He also questioned the central government's commitment to addressing poverty when all regions lack sufficient resources.

The National Council will hold a special session on Monday to discuss the Financial Intelligence Amendment and the Civil Registration and Identification Bills.

The bills were debated in the National Assembly and referred to the National Council for review.

The National Council will also discuss other bills referred to it by the National Assembly as well as examine various reports and other business matters.

The session is scheduled to conclude on the 28th of this month.

The Chairperson of the National Council, Lukas Sinimbo Muha, has stressed the need for legislation to be reviewed to reflect the shifting nature of the local and international financial markets.
  
He further said the country should move quickly to comply with and overcome the politics of the global monetary system.

Muha addressed the official opening of a legislative workshop for members of the Sixth National Council on financial and associated issues.

He says interdependency has advantages and disadvantages.

MPs in the National Council have applauded the Ministry of Health and Social Services for some major achievements and completed programs during the previous fiscal year.

The MPs called on the government to consider employing community extension health workers who helped health professionals and community members during the COVID-19 pandemic.

They have also requested that rural clinics operate on weekends and build more facilities that are accessible to people with disabilities.

The Councillor of Berseba Constituency, Jeremias Goeieman, has called on the government to recognize traditional medicines and regulate their use.

Speaking in the National Council, Goeieman argued that traditional medicines are more affordable and accessible than conventional treatments.

He added that traditional medicines have properties that could stabilize hormones and strengthen the immune system.

Members of Parliament in the National Council supported the budgetary allocation of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, and appealed for an increase in order to meet its obligations of ensuring food security and equitable land re-distribution.

In his contribution, Okorukambe Constituency Councillor Rocco Nguvauva expressed concern with the resettlement programme saying some beneficiaries have not occupied their land while those who occupied are subleasing it.

MPs in the National Council have proposed the revision of criteria used by the Namibia Students Financial Assistance Fund (NSFAF) to fund the students.

They say the majority of students who ought to benefit from the fund do not receive financial aid, questioning the fund's fairness.

The NSFAF receives a large portion of the Ministry of Higher Education budget, and MPs believe the money is sufficient to cater to a larger population of students.

The National Council started the committee stage of the Appropriation Bill for 2023/2024, discussing individual allocations to various ministries.

The allocation for the Office of the Prime Minister attracted significant attention from the MPs, who voiced concern that the amount was insufficient to aid drought-affected communities.

The National Council MPs made several suggestions with regard to the re-organization of government agencies, such as the separation of the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board from the Office of the President. 

In a recent session of the National Council, several Members of Parliament expressed their concern over the increasing incidents of wildlife attacks in the country. 

The MPs, representing constituencies in both urban and rural areas, spoke of the growing danger to human lives and property caused by wild animals such as crocodiles and elephants.
 

The Councillor of Rundu Rural Constituency in the Kavango East Region, Paulus Mbangu, has suggested that government implement a basic income grant that will cater to every unemployed Namibian and so combat poverty and unemployment in the country.

In his contribution to the national budget for 2023/24 in the National Council, Mbangu emphasized, that the grant would prove crucial to tackling pressing socio-economic issues.