MPs should spice up boring Parly sessions

President Hifikepunye Pohamba this week opened the fifth session of the fifth Parliament amid much pomp and fanfare with parliamentarians and invited guests gracing the occasion with colourful clothing.

Over the years, Namibians turn to Parliament for the annual opening session as well as for the State of the Nation address by the Head of State, but it’s what politicians are wearing that gets people talking.

President Pohamba is expected to deliver his State of the Nation address after the national budget has been passed in the coming months. Flamboyant outfits aside, the opening of Parliament have always been a wild ride, but sadly the debates that ensue have been lacking spark. Not even the opposition have brought themselves out of the periphery and set the stage for a more robust Parliament. Sessions peppered with spirit and a livelier atmosphere should be the norm during parliamentary proceedings and not boring sessions as has been the case over the years. No wonder there is now a habit of MPs bunking parliamentary sessions. In September last year, an assessment of the performance of MPs by the Institute Public Policy Research (IPPR) indicated that not all honourable members of the August House make full use of their parliamentary seats as they prefer to be silent during debates.

The study concluded that many MPs have become “inactive, ineffectual and even removed from the general populace.” The low quality and the disappointing number of Bills passed were also highlighted in the study. There is no doubt that Parliament needs some vigour to spice up debates and most importantly to provide the members, especially the opposition with an opportunity to address bread and butter issues in the country.

In fact, an increasingly robust Parliament will hold the Government of the day to account a situation that will herald greater scrutiny of the State operations. And as President Pohamba puts it, MPs are not only tasked with the legislative function, but also have the sacred duty to pass fair, just, well-researched and thoroughly debates during parliamentary proceedings.

It is critical that MPs are abreast with what is happening around the country and always strive to pass Bills in the best interest of the nation. A conducive and energetic atmosphere should prevail at all times in Parliament.