Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698750719117.pdf (Namibia)
NATIONAL COUNCIL MOTIVATION FOR THE BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR VOTE 11 FOR THE 2018/2019 FINANCIAL YEAR BY HON.

PROF. PETER KATJAVIVI, MP SPEAKER OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY WINDHOEK 12 APRIL 2018 Honourable Chairperson Honourable Members of the Committee of the Whole House It is with profound gratitude that I once again present before you the budget estimates of Vote 11 of the National Council for the Financial Year 2018/2019.
INTRODUCTION As you may all be aware, the National Council, as a Second Chamber of Parliament, was established in accordance with Article 68 of the Namibian Constitution with the major responsibility to review bills passed by this House.

Further, the Members of the National Council as we all know, are drawn from each region in accordance with Article 69 of the Namibian Constitution.
Therefore, in addition to the responsibilities indicated in Articles 74 and 75, they also have their responsibilities as Regional Councilors as per Article 108.

The National Council has one programme namely, Legislative Support Services with three activities.

Further, the National Council have set the following Ministerial targets for the MTEF period: 1.
Progress made in scrutinizing the implementation 0/ developmental agenda of government as per Vision 2030, NDPs and HPP by OIMIAs by 2020: In the past financial year, the National Council indicated that it will focus its oversight activities on the implementation of the government's development In this regard, the following activities were agenda as set by each OMA.
carried out: • Nineteen (19) Bills were reviewed of which 7 were passed with It is important to mention that twenty-five (25) substantive amendments.

amendments were proposed and a large number of minor amendments.

1 • Committees planned to undertake thirty five (35) activities including participation at regional and international conferences.

Sixty-six percent (66%) of the activities were implemented and 23 reports were tabled and adopted in the House.
A total of 79 recommendations were forwarded to OMAs for their consideration and ultimate implementation.

Thus far only 4% was implemented.

We hope that the situation will change during the current fmancial year.

2.
2.

Percentage of Auditor General's Audit reports on Regional and Local received from the National scrutinized within the year Authorities Assembly: • Reports of the Auditor General on Regional and Local Authorities are referred to the National Council and the National Council intended to deal with all reports within the year they are referred to it.

In this regard around 108 reports were forwarded to the National Council Standing Committee Public Accounts and Economy.
A number of hearings were held with Regional and Local authorities.

• to mention that the National Council Committee has no It is important control over the implementation of Recommendations emanating from Public Hearings on Auditor-General's Reports, due to the delegated to function.
The current referral motion on reports of the Auditor-General the National Council does not allow the National Council PAC to directly make follow-ups on recommendations emanating from the review of AG is in force the task of sending Reports.

As per recommendations rest with the National Assembly PAC.
With the proposed Joint Rules of Parliament, once adopted, it is suggested that a Stakeholders Consultative Meeting be held that will look at re-engineering the processes of reviewing of AG Reports with the view of improving the parliamentary oversight function.
the motion that to the OMAs and follow-ups 2 ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE 2017/2018 FINANCIAL YEAR Honourable Chairperson of the Committee of the Whole House, Honourable Members, the During 201712018 implemented out the following activities: financial year, the National Council successfully • Consultations at grassroots level remain high on the agenda of the National Council.
Therefore, as MPs and Regional Councilors, continuous interaction It is against that with the people in the respective constituencies is important.

background to enhance public participation in the law-making process.

that Parliamentary Outreach took place • The National Council organized the Fourth Rural Women Parliament with Male as Partners and brought together 42 rural women and men to discuss issues that are affecting them in rural areas.
The Fourth Rural Women Parliament with Male as Partners focused on various social issues such as Combating Gender-based the Importance of Rural Development, Gender Equality, Women's Violence, Rights and Women Empowerment.

The recommendations made has been forwarded to the relevant line Ministries.
• The National Council also realized that young people need to understand the principles that underpin democracy and thus held its first Junior National Council to reach out to the young people and share with them the work and values of Parliament.

recommendations were adopted and were also forwarded to the line Ministries for their consideration.

Eleven (11) • The role and nature of internal audit has changed over the past years.
It is expected that they deliver value through extensive focus on governance, risk In this regard, the internal audit unit management and internal control systems.

has been capacitated and we are happy to report that we have approved the Enterprise Risk Management Policy.

All Staff are being sensitized on this policy.


3 CHALLENGES OF THE 2017/2018 FINANCIAL YEAR • The National Council office, faced senous like any other government financial constraints during the 2017118 financial year and had to suspend some of its activities.

As in the last budget statement, I highlighted that traveling should be seen as part of the mandate of the National Council because without traveling they will not be able to attend the National Council Sessions in Windhoek.
Also, the carrying out of regional and constituency activities by Members of the National Council involves traveling.

Some MPs have vast constituencies to cover.

The MPs are not provided with official transportation when carrying out this is a Thus, that traveling is part and challenge that need to be understood by government parcel of the National Council's programme to execute its core function.
Therefore, the National Council should not be compared to other OMAs when it comes to budget cuts with regard to travel.

these responsibilities.

• The other challenge is the allocation of monthly financial resources.

This of activities.

We decision by Treasury hampered the implementation sincerely hope that this decision will be reviewed.
2018/19 REQUEST Honourable Chairperson of the Committee of the Whole House Honourable Members The National Council is requesting for an amount ofN$100 381 000 (One Hundred Million, Three Hundred and Eighty One Thousand Namibia Dollars) to cover for its operational activities during the 2018/19 Financial Year.

The National Council has only one programme namely: Services under which three main activities will be carried out as follows: Legislative Support 4 1.
Strengthen capacity of the review and oversight function of the National Council - N$ll 656 000 (Eleven million, six hundred and fifty six thousand Namibia Dollars) recently launched its Strategic Plan.

The National Council Four (4) Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) have been set to strengthen the capacity of the National Council's review and oversight function.
they are aimed at measuring the impact of the National Council's review function, with the responsibility squarely on the shoulders of the Members of the National Council with the assistance of staff providing them with the required tools.

Importantly, 2.
Importantly, 2.

Coordination of parliamentary support services - N$32 003 900.00 (Thirty two million and three thousand Namibia Dollars) Under this activity, the implementation of the HPP Goals of Accountability and Transparency as well as that of Performance and Service Delivery will be monitored.
The main objectives therefore would be to improve budget execution and financial accountability; improve the management and development of human resources; ensure the optimal utilization and control of assets and implement the Parliamentary and Public Service Reform Initiatives.

3.

Parliamentary Committee Services N$56,722,000 (fifty six million, seven hundred twenty two thousand Namibia Dollars).
Over the 2018/2019 Financial Year, the National Council plans to carry out its activities guided by its programme "Legislative Support Services".

Parliament has an important role to play by articulating the needs of their constituents in the national debates in particular on poverty eradication.

It is against that background that the National Council Committees see it fit to focus their oversight activities towards the implementation of the Blueprint on Wealth redistribution and Poverty eradication.
5 to strengthen good With regard to its theme of "Enhancing partnerships governance in Namibia", the National Council through its Public Accounts and Economy Committee plans to continue to carry out public hearings with the Regional and Local Authorities.

Oversight plays an essential role in enhancing transparency and accountability.

Transparency and accountability are therefore in improving corporate governance within the Regional and Local central Authorities.
Although complex and challenging, it will enhance partnership and at the same time be an efficient entry point to strengthen Regional and Local Authorities governance systems.

further plays a crucial role in improving governance and public Parliament service delivery.

Participation of the underprivileged in the law making process remains a preoccupation of Parliament - National Council, given the good governance emphasizes on furthering representation for all constituents and citizens.
It is against that background that the National Council made the Rural Women Parliament with Male as Partners and the Junior National Council an annual activity on its agenda.

CONCLUSION Honourable Chairperson of the Committee of the Whole House Honourable Members The success of the implementation of the afore-mentioned programme, depends on I again request this the support from this August House.
August House to approve the amount of One Hundred Million, Three Hundred and Eighty One Thousand Namibia Dollars (N$ 100,381,000) for the National Council to carry out its activities during the 2018/19 It is for this reason that Financial Year.

I thank you for your support and attention.

6