The walkout by opposition parties during voting on the petroleum bill has stalled its passage in the National Assembly.
This comes after the remaining members failed to meet the required quorum.
The house was left with 39 members of parliament, 10 short of the 49 members required for voting to proceed, following the opposition’s withdrawal in protest against provisions in the proposed legislation.
The bill has sparked disagreement over plans to place the upstream petroleum sector under the Office of the President and establish an upstream petroleum unit to oversee the sector.
National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila on Wednesday adjourned the House after confirming that voting could not proceed without the required number of members.
“For as long as the number is not there, voting cannot take place. We cannot make a decision,” she said.
The matter is expected to resume on Thursday.
During the proceedings, Marius Sheya called for action against members who request a voting division and subsequently leave the chamber, arguing that such conduct undermines the voting process.
Meanwhile, Independent Patriots for Change chief whip Rodrick Likando questions the speaker’s handling of voting divisions, particularly the time allowed for Swapo members of parliament to return to the chamber compared with the treatment of opposition members.
The dispute comes amid wider concerns over the proposed governance structure for Namibia’s upstream petroleum industry, which covers exploration and production activities.
The bill has drawn scrutiny over how authority over the sector will be exercised and how oversight and accountability will be maintained.
The bill is significant as Namibia seeks to develop its emerging oil and gas industry following major offshore discoveries.
With the opposition walkout preventing a vote, the bill’s passage remains on hold until the National Assembly can resume proceedings with the required quorum.
The post Opposition walkout derails petroleum bill passing, falls short of quorum appeared first on The Namibian.