Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698147505050.pdf (Namibia)
CONTRIBUTION ON THE BUDGET DEBATE 2013/2014.

BY HON.

CLARA IIGOWASES FROM THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF NAMIBIA ~ Honourable Speaker Honourable Members Let me take this opportunity to thank the Minister of Finance and her team for the efforts and commitment in preparing yet another Budget.

All of us know it takes a lot of effort and hard work to produce and introduce such a thorough document on time.

Well done, congratulations.


Honourable Speaker Honourable Members Thank you for this golden opportunity to once again air my voice on behalf of the voiceless, for a small but a valuable contribution.

First and foremost, I would like to congratulate Honourable members the way they manage to standardise this year's contributions.

I could see the attentive listening and minimised interruptions, Honourable members this is indeed a job well-done.
Honourable Speaker Honourable Members I am standing today to address some very important and critical issues but in a nutshell.

Strategic Engagement Approach: The Problem Statement Unacceptable levels of poverty, has prompted His Excellency, President Hifikepunye Pohamba in 2011 to food, unemployment lack of make the following statement: "The Government of Namibia is deeply concerned about the high and persistent unemployment rate".
The National Planning Commission (NPC) Report 2010 states that: rate of 51% and a third of Namibians are living below the poverty line (NPC).

"The unemployment The former Honourable Governor of the Khomas region Mr. Samuel Nuuyoma has stated in 2011 that: "People are scavenging for expired food and other livelihoods at dumping sites countrywide".

The afore- mentioned the dire state in which our people find themselves.

Therefore it calls for extensive and radical actions to mitigate the situation.
Honourable Speaker Honourable Members Short Term Solution: immediate intervention development projects, regions.

The lists of projects must be created through employment creation, thus alleviating poverty.

level identified in various constituencies in all 13 through implementing constituency Medium Term Solution: It is essential to create a Pilot Projects Formulation Framework (PPFF-Fund) to finance the implementation of the PPFFprogramme.
The Fund can have two arms namely; 1) Direct Funding from the FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) or donors partners to invest in the establishment/expansion of the community projects for a period of 2-3 years.

2) Creation of Revolving Fund, the fund will be essentially an internal reinvestment facility.

To revolve the proceeds of the initial investments onto the members of the communities who could not benefit from the initial funding.

Agriculture: Agriculture is the backbone of our land.
The Laws, policy guidelines are in place.

But we are unfortunately and many instruments I know the remedial arrangements haunted by the severe drought.

and mechanisms made by the Government of the Republic of let us seriously and progressively apply these mechanisms Namibia, and instruments to ensure in time to avoid natural disasters.

We do have drought management systems in place: What are we waiting for?

le; it possible to assist farmers with drought relief mechanisms?
that shown, Health: the state of Health in our The past has undoubtedly country needs much to be desired.

The recent reports in the print media (Dated 12 March 2013) on maternal deaths are also another wake up call.

Unfortunately we cannot place the blame on the shoulders of the Minister of Health, but we as the lawmakers and the to the Republic to team up with the Health entire nation owe it fully the Ministry to rectify what that aims and the objectives of this Ministry.
We should see to it and skills, commitment of all health staff members prevails at all times not only when there is a visit by the Minister.

Thorough planning, monitoring and implementing must be cue.

is to be rectified.

Let us support effectiveness, dedication, hard-work care, love, Honourable Speaker Honourable Members In conclusion, be of importance to take into consideration.
there are some development suggestions which could 1) For employment the earmarked towns where quality uniforms creation, why not establish centres through- the out following staff, for example the Namibian Police, Nurses, NDF could be made.

People are complaining about poor quality and for shortages of those uniforms.

Sensitise and train youth, women and men to participate in this drive.

2) The Hardap and Karas regions are blessed with natural resources such as the slasto stones.
In the Maltahohe area there are a lot of these stones.

Why not utilise these regions optimally?

This could be a job creation initiative.

3) We have the Berg-Aukas Training centre in the Otjozondjupa region.

Why not have other similar training centres in the other regions?

another employment settlements to assist 4) We are boasting that the City of Windhoek is the cleanest city in Africa.
I think it is only the Independence Avenue, look at the informal creation in all poverty and unemployment opportunity alleviation.

5) We must look for ways to uplift and develop through its relevant Ministry those towns that have been downgraded to villages and to settlements.

Look at Grunau for instance; there is no development going-on.

Furthermore Local Authority Councillors don't go there, so how can such a place be expected to develop?
Finally, thank you Honourable Speaker and the Honourable Members of this August House who so attentively listened to me.

I support the Bill.