Namibia’s parliamentary leaders have been urged to strengthen cooperation between the National Assembly and National Council, improve the effectiveness of parliamentary committees and ensure Parliament remains responsive to the needs of citizens.
The call was made during the opening of the Parliamentary Leadership Retreat in Swakopmund where presiding officers, chief whips and chairpersons of standing committees from both Houses gathered under the theme, “Strengthening Parliamentary Leadership for Inclusive Development and Participatory Democracy.” Opening the retreat, National Assembly Speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said Parliament’s constitutional responsibilities of representation, law-making and oversight have a direct impact on the welfare of Namibians and that the public ultimately judges Parliament on how effectively it carries out those functions. She said the retreat provides an opportunity for parliamentary leaders to strengthen their understanding of the institution’s mandate and improve coordination between the two Houses.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said standing committees play a critical role by examining complex issues, conducting oversight visits and engaging directly with communities to assess the implementation of laws and government policies. She said the workshop would also explore ways to reduce duplication in oversight work between committees of the National Assembly and the National Council through greater collaboration.
National Council Chairperson Lukas Sinimbo Muha echoed the need for stronger oversight, saying Parliament must remain relevant by effectively holding the Executive accountable and ensuring the voices of citizens continue to shape government action. He said standing committees are the “engine rooms” of Parliament and should go beyond merely reviewing reports by recommending reforms that address policy and administrative shortcomings. Muha further called for stronger mechanisms to ensure parliamentary recommendations are implemented, saying effective accountability depends on Parliament monitoring whether government complies with resolutions adopted by the House. He said strengthening both oversight and accountability would reinforce public confidence in democratic governance.
Representing Erongo Governor Natalia /Goagoses, Erongo Regional Council Chairperson Lazarus Kanelombe welcomed delegates to the region and described the retreat as a unique opportunity for parliamentary leaders to address matters of common concern and learn from one another. Kanelombe called for closer cooperation between regional and national leadership, saying stronger ties would help bridge local development needs such as housing, roads, education and healthcare with national priorities. He said such collaboration is essential to ensure grassroots concerns are reflected in national decision-making while government policies are effectively implemented at the regional level. He also encouraged participants to engage openly, transparently and constructively throughout the five-day retreat, expressing confidence that the discussions would strengthen Parliament’s service delivery and accountability to the Namibian people.
The retreat, which runs until Friday, brings together the leadership of both Houses of Parliament, parliamentary officials and regional and international resource persons to share experiences and identify ways of improving parliamentary leadership, oversight and institutional effectiveness.
By Sharlien Tjambari
