National Council to push for constituency development bill revisions
The regional and constituency development fund bill that was tabled in parliament last year has faced sharp criticism from some members of the National Council (NC), who say they are set to propose a number of amendments when it reaches them for review.
In March last year, after urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni tabled the motion in the National Assembly, the NC highlighted dissatisfaction with how the bill was crafted and proactively proposed amendments.
A constituency councillor who spoke to Namibian Sun on condition of anonymity last week, argued that the composition of the board, including the powers given to the minister, contradicts the objectives that led to the law's proposal.
“If we are talking of decentralisation, this bill does not speak to it. We are already having a problem with how projects are run from central government and that’s why we wanted our own fund where we can plan and develop our constituencies, but now if you still have to rely on people who are not from your region,” the source argued.
“If you look at what we proposed to government in 2014 and what we see tabled in parliament, they only took our idea and decided on how they want it to be. None of what we proposed is contained in that bill.”
Contrary to original principle
The constituency development fund bill, later renamed the regional and constituency development fund, was initiated in 2010 after constituency councillors lamented operating without a budget and being limited to merely observing projects implemented through the central government.
Their objective was to create a fund to provide access to resources and fast-track development in their respective constituencies, with the resources managed through the regional council since constituency offices do not have finance departments.
However, according to the bill currently before the National Assembly, the fund will be run by a board chaired by the executive director of the National Planning Commission and deputised by the executive director of the urban and rural development ministry.
The board will also comprise a representative from a local authority, the finance ministry and the National Youth Council, among others.
On Wednesday last week, the source said once the bill is finalised in the National Assembly, it is likely to receive huge backlash in the National Council.
“We have seen it and we have taken note. We are waiting for it to come for review, and we will deal with it decisively,” the source noted.
Proactive action
When contacted for comment last week, chairperson of the National Council, Lukas Muha, said the bill tabled in the National Assembly was not well received by NC members.
He added that in this instance, the council forwarded their proposed changes to the bill in April last year.
“As we wait for the bill to come for review, we cannot preempt how it will come to us, but there are a number of things that we already proposed to the ministry for consideration".
The bill aims to fast-track developmental activities at regional and constituency levels and address the issue of some constituencies being marginalised in terms of project funding.
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In March last year, after urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni tabled the motion in the National Assembly, the NC highlighted dissatisfaction with how the bill was crafted and proactively proposed amendments.
A constituency councillor who spoke to Namibian Sun on condition of anonymity last week, argued that the composition of the board, including the powers given to the minister, contradicts the objectives that led to the law's proposal.
“If we are talking of decentralisation, this bill does not speak to it. We are already having a problem with how projects are run from central government and that’s why we wanted our own fund where we can plan and develop our constituencies, but now if you still have to rely on people who are not from your region,” the source argued.
“If you look at what we proposed to government in 2014 and what we see tabled in parliament, they only took our idea and decided on how they want it to be. None of what we proposed is contained in that bill.”
Contrary to original principle
The constituency development fund bill, later renamed the regional and constituency development fund, was initiated in 2010 after constituency councillors lamented operating without a budget and being limited to merely observing projects implemented through the central government.
Their objective was to create a fund to provide access to resources and fast-track development in their respective constituencies, with the resources managed through the regional council since constituency offices do not have finance departments.
However, according to the bill currently before the National Assembly, the fund will be run by a board chaired by the executive director of the National Planning Commission and deputised by the executive director of the urban and rural development ministry.
The board will also comprise a representative from a local authority, the finance ministry and the National Youth Council, among others.
On Wednesday last week, the source said once the bill is finalised in the National Assembly, it is likely to receive huge backlash in the National Council.
“We have seen it and we have taken note. We are waiting for it to come for review, and we will deal with it decisively,” the source noted.
Proactive action
When contacted for comment last week, chairperson of the National Council, Lukas Muha, said the bill tabled in the National Assembly was not well received by NC members.
He added that in this instance, the council forwarded their proposed changes to the bill in April last year.
“As we wait for the bill to come for review, we cannot preempt how it will come to us, but there are a number of things that we already proposed to the ministry for consideration".
The bill aims to fast-track developmental activities at regional and constituency levels and address the issue of some constituencies being marginalised in terms of project funding.
[email protected]
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