Gravy train must end

We read with disgust in The Patriot at the weekend about the political elite who continue to demand lavish perks on top of their high-paying jobs. Members of parliament last week demanded in the National Assembly that a clinic be constructed at parliament, an ambulance, apartments and business class flights when travelling abroad. The demands made by our politicians are a reminder that there is an entrenched and unrelenting sense of entitlement from those who are quick to claim that they are public servants. It is as clear as daylight that our economy is struggling at the moment. Measures to cut costs are ruthlessly implemented at many government agencies, with the latest education cuts being a stark reminder that all is not well. While treasury officials are hard at work trying to improve the country's revenue through cost-cutting measures, some MPs are arrogantly demanding luxurious perks. Our MPs are doing this despite the knowledge that there is not enough money to buy textbooks. They are also knowledgeable of the funding crisis the country's sport sector finds itself in, not to mention the high levels of inequality which is evidently allowed to worsen. The MPs in the National Assembly are already sitting pretty. They earn almost N$700 000 per year and perks of over N$160 000 inclusive of housing and utility allowances. One would assume that given the lean budgets of government offices and agencies that politicians would lead by example, by giving up on some of their lucrative perks, especially the business class flights, which cost taxpayers millions every year. Ordinary Namibians have tightened their belts in the context of being prudent. Why can't politicians do the same with our state resources? Their spending clearly reveals an entitled attitude and this must be discouraged in the strongest terms. Some of these MPs hail from villages without basic healthcare and education facilities, yet they prioritise taxpayer-funded allowances and perks. Politicians have been riding the gravy train for far too long without delivering on their election campaign promises. We expect politicians to lead by example and help us weather these difficult economic times.