MPs must live up to expectations

The National Assembly resumed business last week after a long recess. In the coming months politicians are expected to debate on a number of bills as well as important motions. Recently the DTA moved a motion to discuss the disturbing issue of teenage pregnancy, which is without doubt a serious national problem. This newspaper has particularly been at the forefront of highlighting the grim statistics on teen pregnancy, which educators and parents alike are grappling with it nationwide. It is important that lawmakers lead the discussion on issues of the day and the furore surrounding the Roads Contractor Company (RCC) is one of them. Discussions on the future of the troubled RCC are on the cards following an announcement by the public enterprises minister Leon Jooste that Cabinet has resolved to place the entity under judicial management with the view to determine if there is probability that it could overcome its financial problems. Questions regarding the Okahandja land sales moratorium that has been in place for well over a year now has also been brought as well as the controversy dodging the referral hospital in the north. We are now about seven months into the fifth session of the sixth parliament and yet you still see MPs in both the National Assembly and National Council who have not efficiently represented their electorate or made a meaningful contribution on the floor. MPs must understand their role is to serve their constituencies as well make laws in the best interest of Namibians. Those who contribute little should be taken to task. There is surely no place for self-serving individuals who have become increasingly isolated from those who pay their salaries and even vote for them. For quite some time now we have seen how the National Assembly has been reduced to a sleeping corner for some MPs instead of making a meaningful contribution during debates. One even wonders if our leaders do indeed make time and occasionally organise meetings to better understand the plight of those who elected them into office. MPs should not only be active in parliament committee meetings, but their voices should also be heard in plenary.