WINDHOEK: Several bills are set to be brought before the Namibian Parliament this year, with the legislative year having commenced on Tuesday.

President Nangolo Mbumba while formally inaugurating the ninth session of the seventh Parliament on Tuesday said some of the proposed bills to be tabled in the National Assembly include the Regional Constituency Fund Bill; the Health Professions Bill; the Namibia Energy Regulator Bill; the Electricity Bill; and the Marriage Bill.

Others are the Child Justice Bill; Ombudsman Bill; Marriage Bill; Divorce Bill; Public Gathering and Demonstration Bill; Regularisation of Status of Certain Residents, Their Foreign Spouses, and Their Descendants Bill; as well as the Roads Bill and Vehicle Mass Bill.

The parliamentary session this year is running under the theme ‘Improved public engagement to meet the expectations of the citizens.’

Speaker of the National Assembly, Peter Katjavivi said the theme reminds lawmakers of their duties to forge close ties with the Namibian people
.

‘This theme underscores the imperative for us as elected representatives to listen, engage, and act decisively to address the challenges facing our citizens, including efficient service delivery. Our actions in this parliament must reflect the aspirations and the needs of our people,’ Katjavivi said.

‘As we embark on this new legislative year, it is important that we reflect on the progress we have made as a nation as we approach the 2024 Presidential and National Assembly elections. Let us renew our commitment to the leadership as well as to the need to preserve peace and stability in our country.’

The speaker also paid tribute to the late president Hage Geingob, who was among the founding members of the National Assembly, while urging members of parliament to emulate his spirit of unity and cooperation.

‘Our late president would always stress and underline that idea of togetherness, holding hands, and he would constantly refer to the Namibian House as being inclusive forever.

‘It is true that our com
bined effort can achieve greater good for our country and its people as per our national theme of ‘One Namibia, One Nation’,’ he said.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency