- Rafael Hangula
OTJIWARONGO – National Council Chairperson Hon. Lukas Sinimbo Muha has called on Members of Parliament in the National Council to strengthen oversight of the Executive and ensure government programmes deliver tangible benefits to ordinary Namibians.
Speaking at the opening of the National Council’s 2026/2027 Standing Committees Annual Planning and Budgeting Session in Otjiwarongo on Monday, Hon. Muha said parliamentary oversight remains critical to promoting transparency, good governance and the effective use of public resources.He said Parliament’s work must translate into improved service delivery and greater accountability.
“Parliament’s duty is to oversee the Government on behalf of the people while promoting accountability, transparency, good governance and service delivery,” he said.
The week-long session, held under the theme “Enhancing Parliamentary Oversight and Participatory Democracy,” is expected to produce a consolidated plan of action for committee activities.Hon. Muha said standing committees must continue to scrutinise budgets, monitor ministries and government agencies, and ensure public institutions fulfil their mandates.
He further urged committees to prioritise issues affecting citizens directly, including healthcare, housing, education, water provision, energy, employment, infrastructure development, food security and public safety.
To strengthen accountability, Chairperson proposed the development of a dashboard system that would allow the National Council to track recommendations made to the Executive and monitor their implementation.
The National Council Chairperson also highlighted capacity constraints within Parliament, particularly the shortage of researchers, legal advisors and financial experts, which he said limits the effectiveness of parliamentary oversight.
Meanwhile, National Council Hon. Vice-Chairperson Emma Tangi Muteka challenged lawmakers to ensure that their planning efforts result in meaningful improvements in the lives of ordinary Namibians.
“The decisions we make here will determine whether our people simply hear about development or truly feel it in their everyday lives,” Muteka said in her welcoming remarks.
She cautioned against treating the planning session as a routine exercise, describing parliamentary oversight as the backbone of accountability and a key mechanism for ensuring public resources are used for their intended purposes.
“We cannot afford delays, and we cannot afford disconnection. The work we do here must speak to the realities on the ground,” she said.
Hon. Muteka urged members to place themselves in the shoes of the people they represent and focus on producing practical solutions that address challenges facing communities across the country.
With six standing committees driving its oversight mandate, national council members say the effectiveness of oversight depends heavily on how committees scrutinise government programmes and spending.
The planning and budgeting session continues until Friday and is expected to shape the National Council’s oversight agenda for the 2026/2027 financial year.
