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THE National Assembly on Thursday concluded the sixth Session of the Seventh Parliament, which started on 6 September, in accordance with the National Assembly calendar.
Rafael Hangula, the National Assembly’s acting public relations officer, said the house fulfilled its constitutional mandate and performed its function of representative democracy. During this last session, the house debated and passed nine bills that have been referred to the National Council for review. Also, 13 motions were tabled of which three have been adopted, five referred to committees, three lapsed and two have been withdrawn. Hangula noted that a total 158 questions were posed since February, of which 85 have been replied to.
The bills that were passed without amendments include the Abolition of Payment by Cheque Bill, Property Valuers Profession Amendment Bill, Appropriation Amendment Bill, Administration of Estates Amendment Bill, Repeal of Obsolete Laws Bill, Road Fund Administration Bill, Stamp Duties Amendment Bill, Income Tax Amendment Bill and the Value-Added Tax Amendment Bill.
During the session, Hangula said several standing committees conducted inquiries and public hearings on reports of government institutions and topical issues referred to them by the House. The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economics and Public Administration held a consultative meeting with the Ministry of Mines and Energy regarding mining and oil exploration shareholding, exclusive processing licence instruments and related matters affecting the economy of Namibia.
He added that a select committee of the National Assembly also investigated the mass resignation of fishermen employed under the governmental employment redressing programme where it met officials of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources and the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation.
Meanwhile, the Standing Committee on Human Resources and Community Development conducted a public hearing with directors and senior management of national broadcaster NBC, regarding the industrial action. The Standing Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs held a consultative meeting with the Electoral Commission of Namibia, while the Standing Committee on Gender Equality, Social Development and Family Affairs launched the Namibian parliamentary TB Caucus. In addition, the Standing Committee on Natural Resources held a consultative meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform on Green Schemes as well as a consultative meeting with the management of Agro Marketing and Trade Agency. The National Assembly is expected to resume in February 2023.
– Compiled by Andreas Thomas
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