Africa-Press – Namibia. Swapo parliamentarian Nono Katjingisiua says the current tabled budget will strengthen the government’s intervention in addressing a wide range of social issues.
These challenges range from housing, education, unemployment, inequality and health.
She emphasised that this year’s budget is well-compiled, in view of the greater demand for the intervention of the government in addressing various social challenges, especially with the heightened expectation placed on the new government following last year’s elections. Katjingisiua stated the budget gave due importance to all sections of the economy, and has targeted to enhance infrastructure development while keeping its focus on dealing with poverty alleviation and social upliftment. “I am particularly pleased with the growth in the development budget by N$2.4 billion from N$10.4 billion this year to N$12.8 billion in the coming budget year,” she said while making her contribution in the National Assembly recently.
She added, “We should also take pride in the continued prioritisation of the social clusters, especially the allocation to the education sector, comprising 30% of the total allocation.”
“This is clear evidence of the government’s emphasis on the lives and future of
Namibia’s young people.”
However, she also pointed out that the government should continue to look for ways to improve the outcomes from the country’s investments made over the last decades.
“We need to see improvement in the quality of our peoples’ livelihoods through these investments,” the lawmaker said.
Additionally, the increased allocations to the various social protection programmes will go a long way to safeguarding livelihoods and protecting families.
This, Katjingisiua said, will also help to support the country’s quest to reduce inequality and poverty. “The gradual relaxation of the tax burden on our people should further move to provide our people with more cash in their pockets.”
This, she said, would allow for improving livelihoods for the people of the country as well as for the government to move decisively and intentionally to tackle poverty, unemployment and inequality.
“In the current environment of uncertainties, we as leaders have a greater need to understand the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead,” she added.
She then applauded finance minister Ericah Shafudah for delivering what she termed a balanced and responsive budget.
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