Calls for MPs to work more hours
Civil society and some members of parliament (MPs) have called for the National Assembly to extend its sitting hours to properly discuss and pass laws.
Civil society and some members of parliament (MPs) have called for the National Assembly to extend its sitting hours to properly discuss and pass laws.
Parliament passed only the budget bill in 2025.
Currently, the National Assembly sessions run from 14h30 until 17h45, with some MPs saying it’s not enough time to debate items on the order paper of the day.
Institute for Public Policy Research director Graham Hopwood says a government cannot govern if it struggles to pass laws. “We like the fact that they are looking seriously [at proposed laws] and asking questions.
[But] we need to see more from MPs. This is not good enough.
They need to work harder,” Hopwood said during a presentation on political scenarios in Windhoek yesterday.
Parliament meets three days a week from the end of February to November, with recess in May and July.
This is essentially working 90 days a year, compared to the 250 working days for the rest of the country, Hopwood said.
