Ester Hakaala
The National Assembly’s fourth session of the eighth Parliament on Wednesday began with Members of Parliament continuing debate on bills before the House. Among them are the Land Bill, Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Amendment Bill, Regional Councils Amendment Bill and Public Enterprises Governance Amendment Bill.
Employment Equity Commission
Minister of Justice and Labour Relations Fillemon Immanuel sought approval for 13 nominees to the 8th Employment Equity Commission to fill omissions and vacancies for the term ending 29 February 2028. Names include Patrick Hamunyera Ntupi, Joyce Mukupi, Ingrid Kalangula, Matheus Hashoongo, Mochelle Wina-Dean, Henry Bruwer, Racquel Handura, Nellie Kahua, Johannes //Gowaseb, Salome Kambala, Rosalia Gabriel, Amber-Ivan Ceorecius and Elizabeth Matroos.
Review and amend the PSEMAS
Affirmative Repositioning MP Tuhafeni Kalola tabled a notice of motion in Parliament, calling for gym membership and wellness programmes to be included on medical aid benefits for public servants. Kalola proposed that the Minister of Finance, together with the Public Service Commission, instruct the medical aid scheme administrator to consider the benefits as part of the core package.
He further proposed that the scheme secure corporate discounts with registered gyms, fitness centres and wellness facilities across all 14 regions, allowing public servants greater access to fitness services. Kalola also suggested that members be allowed to claim gym memberships through their medical aid, like an approach used by Namibia Health Plan
Petroleum Bill debate
The bill proposes transferring key powers such as licensing, royalties, local content, and environmental obligations from the Minister of Industries, Mines and Energy to an Upstream Petroleum Unit (UPU) in the Office of the President, headed by a Director-General.
Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development Evelyn! Nawases-Taeyele urged the National Assembly to pass the petroleum (Exploration and Production) Bill, saying the amendments will modernise Namibia’s petroleum legal and regulatory framework as the country moves towards commercial oil and gas production. She said the bill seeks to separate upstream and downstream activities, establish an Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Office of the President, improve licensing and decision-making, strengthen investor confidence and introduce anti-corruption safeguards through annual reporting and asset disclosures.
She added that the reforms will also promote local participation through the use of Namibian goods, services and workforce training, while protecting the interests of present and future generations.
ICT Minister Emma Theofelus said the Petroleum Bill amendments would strengthen oversight and transparency in the upstream petroleum sector by empowering the President to appoint and remove key officials, while requiring senior officials to declare financial or personal interests in the oil and gas industry. She said the Upstream Petroleum Unit (UPU) would maintain a national data repository and submit annual public reports on upstream activities to Parliament, allowing for public and parliamentary scrutiny. Theofelus stressed that the amendments address only one part of the Petroleum Bill, focusing on upstream activities, while further amendments are expected to address broader governance reforms, reduce bureaucratic delays and improve strategic coordination in the petroleum sector.
Swapo party MP Nono Katjingisiua has supported the Petroleum Exploration and Production Amendment Bill 2025, saying Namibia needs strong institutions to manage its petroleum resources as the country moves towards becoming a producer. She said the sector has changed significantly since the 1991 Petroleum Act, particularly following major discoveries in the Orange Basin and increased international investment. Katjingisiua supported the establishment of an Upstream Petroleum Unit in the Office of the President, arguing that the highly technical and strategic nature of the petroleum sector requires specialised expertise and oversight. She said the proposed transfer of certain powers would distinguish strategic leadership from technical administration, while Parliament would retain oversight through questions, reports, legislation and budget scrutiny. She also welcomed provisions requiring senior officials to disclose interests and strengthen safeguards against conflicts of interest.
Service delivery concerns
PDM MP Winnie Moongo has raised concerns over poor public service delivery, citing persistent delays, administrative backlogs, weak coordination and inconsistent responsiveness across government institutions. Moongo questioned whether existing measures, including customer service charters and performance management systems, are producing measurable improvements for citizens. She asked the Prime Minister to identify institutions failing to meet service delivery standards and explain the corrective measures and consequences for officials responsible for repeated failures.
Moongo also sought information on the average turnaround time for resolving public complaints and questioned how government measures employee productivity and service outcomes beyond the size of the public service workforce.
Customs reform concerns
PDM MP Inna Hengari has questioned Finance Minister Erika Shafudah on how the Namibia Revenue Agency’s (NamRA) new Customs Guarantee Framework will affect small and informal “order with me” operators.
Hengari asked whether the reform, effective from 1 November 2026, would reduce importing costs for small businesses and consumers or mainly benefit larger logistics and bonded operators. She also sought clarity on whether young and informal operators who do not qualify as authorised economic operators would have access to a simplified and affordable system.
Hengari further questioned what safeguards would protect small businesses from disputed valuations, delayed payments and system errors, and called for clear guidelines on the new guaranteed rates. She urged the minister to report to Parliament on whether the reform reduces customs clearance delays, unexpected charges, and operating costs for small operators.
Equitable markets for medicinal resources
National Democratic Party leader Martin Lukato has moved for the National Assembly to discuss and consider a motion on establishing equitable markets and ensuring comprehensive benefits are shared from Namibia’s medicinal resources.
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