National Council seeks to be responsive
National Council seeks to be responsive

National Council seeks to be responsive

The focus of the five-year strategic plan will be a better response to public expectations.
Ellanie Smit
The National Council has launched its new five-year strategic plan and with that, introduced a new vision and mission in order to better respond to high public expectations.

The chairperson of the National Council, Margaret Mensah-Williams, said the strategic plan for the period 2017/18 to 2021/22 will lead to the success of the council, provided that it is implemented with the necessary speed, effectiveness and efficiency.

The plan projects the activities to be carried out by the council within the next five years. It further depicts a clear vision of the progress the council seeks to attain by 2022.

It has set five key strategies to be achieved. These includes strengthening the review function of the council, increasing its oversight role, enhancing public and key stakeholder participation in the legislative process, enhancing performance, and ensuring an effective regulatory framework and compliance.

Mensah-Williams said the strategic plan was developed to also include the envisioned parliamentary reform programmes. These include the finalisation of the Joint Parliamentary Committee rules; the creation of Joint Parliamentary Committees and the establishment of the Parliamentary Service and its Commission.

She said the successful implementation of the plan will require combined efforts of a wide variety of stakeholders. However, the primary responsibility of ensuring its successful implementation will always lie with all the members of the National Council and with the support of the staff members.

“I'm optimistic and confident in my team - that it has what it takes to achieve the set objectives and strategies of this strategic plan.”

Secretary to the National Council Emilia Mkusa emphasised that the National Council is committed to changing its work culture and the way we do business with you, our stakeholders.

“We are taking effective measures to ensure that the plan is fully implemented and all operational guidelines are effectively applied.”

According to her the National Council has put in place an Implementation Committee that will provide guidance, mentorship and leadership to the staff to identify, implement and evaluate strategies that will help to fulfil the objectives outlined in the strategic plan.

“Although the constitutional mandate of the National Council has not changed, with this new plan, there has been consensus among the members for the need to review our high-level statements in order to better respond to high public expectations,” said Mensah-Williams.

The new vision statement of the council is: “A house of review that truly represents the interest of the people of Namibia.”

According to Mensah-Williams the council chose these exact words because it strives to remain relevant to the electorate; and through its members, aims to continue being the voice of the people on the ground.

The new mission statement of the council reads: 'To effectively carry out the legislative and investigative review and oversight function by strengthening civic engagement and partnership.'



ELLANIE SMIT

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-20

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