Fix the budget – Kavekotorua
‘Namibians need protection’
RDP MP Mike Kavekotora says the national budget should be revised in light of the war in Ukraine to protect Namibians from skyrocketing food prices.
Finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi has been urged to redo the national budget tabled last month, to include mitigation measures to protect Namibians against the economic repercussions of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Mike Kavekotora, the leader of the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP), said Namibians, who are just coming out of an economic slump following the devastating Covid-19 pandemic which saw hordes of people losing their jobs and businesses, will not be able to withstand the increasing food and fuel prices.
Namibia has increased fuel prices twice since the beginning of the year, with the latest adjustment coming after the tabling of the budget while basic food items such as sugar, oil and wheat products have skyrocketed in less than a week.
Namib Mills, the biggest producer of the country’s staple foods, have announced price increases for maize meal, pasta, bread, wheat flour, rice and sugar.
“It is not business as usual if the prices of basic foodstuffs and fuel are on the increase. These increases follow on the heels of the Covid pandemic.
“And a responsible government that cares for its citizens will not turn a blind eye on these external developments. It is incumbent upon us as parliamentarians to ensure that this budget speaks to the needs and aspirations of the Namibian people,” Kavekotora said.
He added that there ought to be concrete, quantifiable evidence that this budget was indeed drawn up in the interest of the Namibian people and that instead of rubberstamping it, parliament should instead reject it for improvement in light of current realities.
“Namibians need a better life, they need food, they need shelter and housing, they need quality education and better healthcare services, they need clean water, they need land, and the unemployed need sustainable jobs.
“Many of these remain a pipe dream for the majority of Namibians. Does this budget cater for these basic needs of Namibians? No. Honourable minister, have you ever wondered how it is possible that Namibia, a country with a small population endowed with so much riches, is swimming in a pool of poverty? Have you ever considered why Namibia's economy is outperformed by countries with little or no natural resources?” said Kavekotora.
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Mike Kavekotora, the leader of the Rally for Democracy and Progress (RDP), said Namibians, who are just coming out of an economic slump following the devastating Covid-19 pandemic which saw hordes of people losing their jobs and businesses, will not be able to withstand the increasing food and fuel prices.
Namibia has increased fuel prices twice since the beginning of the year, with the latest adjustment coming after the tabling of the budget while basic food items such as sugar, oil and wheat products have skyrocketed in less than a week.
Namib Mills, the biggest producer of the country’s staple foods, have announced price increases for maize meal, pasta, bread, wheat flour, rice and sugar.
“It is not business as usual if the prices of basic foodstuffs and fuel are on the increase. These increases follow on the heels of the Covid pandemic.
“And a responsible government that cares for its citizens will not turn a blind eye on these external developments. It is incumbent upon us as parliamentarians to ensure that this budget speaks to the needs and aspirations of the Namibian people,” Kavekotora said.
He added that there ought to be concrete, quantifiable evidence that this budget was indeed drawn up in the interest of the Namibian people and that instead of rubberstamping it, parliament should instead reject it for improvement in light of current realities.
“Namibians need a better life, they need food, they need shelter and housing, they need quality education and better healthcare services, they need clean water, they need land, and the unemployed need sustainable jobs.
“Many of these remain a pipe dream for the majority of Namibians. Does this budget cater for these basic needs of Namibians? No. Honourable minister, have you ever wondered how it is possible that Namibia, a country with a small population endowed with so much riches, is swimming in a pool of poverty? Have you ever considered why Namibia's economy is outperformed by countries with little or no natural resources?” said Kavekotora.
[email protected]
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