President Nangolo Mbumba expressed cautious optimism about Namibia’s economic trajectory, citing progress made on the socio-economic development front.
However, he acknowledged that significant challenges still lie ahead.
Officially opening the 9th session of the 7th Parliament, Mbumba implored Members of Parliament (MPs) to focus their energies on enacting laws that enhance economic growth.
“More especially the sectors that broaden the scope of economic development in our country, such as mining, agriculture, services and value addition to our natural resources (needs to be done),” he said.
“Currently the Government has embarked on the development of green energy resources as well as oil and gas industries. Thus, all our three organs of State are required to redouble efforts, to realise more inclusive economic growth, equality, equity and shared prosperity across all spheres of our society.”
Mbumba noted that MPs have an important role to play in ensuring that the work of the legislature positively impacts livelihoods, especially for those under-served Namibians in the remote areas of the country.
“In this context, just as Members of the Executive arm of Government, Members of Parliament are required to self-introspect whether they have executed their mandate of enacting legislation which has positively transformed Namibian lives. I, therefore, appeal to all Parliamentarians from both houses to complete all outstanding business, including passing critical bills before the year ends,” he said.
As Parliament Sessions resumed, Mbumba directed that about 12 outstanding bills should be passed without delays before the end of the financial year.
The bills include the Regional Constituency Fund Bill, Health Professions Bill, Namibia Energy Regulator Bill, Electricity Bill and the Child Justice Bill.
Marriage Bill, Ombudsman Bill, Divorce Bill, Public Gathering and Demonstration Bill; Regularisation of Status of Certain Residents, their Foreign Spouses and their Descendants Bill, Roads Bill and the Vehicle Mass Bill, also featured on the wish list of the President.
“Namibians, as the sovereigns, have clear expectations of the leaders they would elect to enter into a social contract with, for the next five years. Therefore, both members of the Executive and Parliament should prepare to account to the sovereigns on their tangible achievements during the past five years of service,” he said.
Mbumba is serving as the interim President following the death of Hage Geingob on Sunday. He is set to lead the nation until the next Head of State is elected during the Presidential and National Assembly elections slated for November this year.
While addressing MPs, Mbumba categorically stated that he will not stand for any position nor does he have any ambitions.
“As the newly sworn-in President, I consider my role to be of an intermediate nature to optimally conclude the term of office of Dr Hage. G. Geingob. This is to ensure security of our people; to serve all communities to the best of my ability and finally to manage the transition to the next President, whom the Namibian people will elect come November 2024. Let me make it crystal clear, I have no intention, desire or ambition to stand for any office,” he said.
