Over to you MPs
The fifth session of the sixth parliament will officially be opened today by President Hage Geingob.
The opening ceremony marks the start of the legislative year in which the Speaker of the National Assembly Peter Katjavivi has promised that about 40 bills would be tabled.
These include the contentious Land Bill, Customary Law Marriages Bill, Education Bill, Lotteries Bill, Divorce Bill and the long-awaited Health Professions Council Bill, among many others.
With Geingob having declared 2017 as a year of rededication, it will be interesting to see how our parliamentarians fare as far as their contribution on the floor is concerned. 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.
You still find MPs who still contribute little to debates. Although ministers are also expected to explain government policies and positions, it is important that they also give direction and contribute to debates.
The problems and challenges besetting our nation are massive and our politicians know very well that they will need to turn political commitment into action. Our parliamentarians should walk the talk and must return to serving the public and the constituencies they represent.
Our leaders must also make time and occasionally organise meetings to better understand the plight of those who elected them into office.
There is surely no place for arrogant and self-serving individuals who have become increasingly isolated from those who pay their salaries and even vote for them. The responsibility on building and improving this Namibian house should squarely lie on the shoulders of politicians.
Ordinary citizens, especially the young people, must also be proactive and engage the leadership at all levels for the betterment of our society.
The time has now come for us as a nation to align our efforts and tackle the myriad issues facing our people. In 2017 stimulating sessions and lively debates should be the order of the day.
The opening ceremony marks the start of the legislative year in which the Speaker of the National Assembly Peter Katjavivi has promised that about 40 bills would be tabled.
These include the contentious Land Bill, Customary Law Marriages Bill, Education Bill, Lotteries Bill, Divorce Bill and the long-awaited Health Professions Council Bill, among many others.
With Geingob having declared 2017 as a year of rededication, it will be interesting to see how our parliamentarians fare as far as their contribution on the floor is concerned. 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.
You still find MPs who still contribute little to debates. Although ministers are also expected to explain government policies and positions, it is important that they also give direction and contribute to debates.
The problems and challenges besetting our nation are massive and our politicians know very well that they will need to turn political commitment into action. Our parliamentarians should walk the talk and must return to serving the public and the constituencies they represent.
Our leaders must also make time and occasionally organise meetings to better understand the plight of those who elected them into office.
There is surely no place for arrogant and self-serving individuals who have become increasingly isolated from those who pay their salaries and even vote for them. The responsibility on building and improving this Namibian house should squarely lie on the shoulders of politicians.
Ordinary citizens, especially the young people, must also be proactive and engage the leadership at all levels for the betterment of our society.
The time has now come for us as a nation to align our efforts and tackle the myriad issues facing our people. In 2017 stimulating sessions and lively debates should be the order of the day.
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Namibian Sun
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