馃嚦馃嚘NamibiaSouthern Africa
Public enterprises bill sparks division in National Assembly
via The Namibian1 min read
A bill proposing amendments to public enterprise governance in 2025 has caused division among National Assembly members. The bill aims to give Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare authority over state-owned enterprises, including the power to appoint and remove board members in consultation with relevant line ministers. Independent Patriots for Change parliamentarian Isra Kanyemba opposed the bill, calling it a "power grab" that weakens accountability and risks turning public enterprises into tools of political convenience. Kanyemba argued the proposal creates a fragmented system with increased Cabinet and State House involvement, leading to poor governance and excessive political control. Parliamentarian Vilho Ihemba also expressed concern about the centralization of power. Conversely, Swapo parliamentarian Clemencia Coetzee defended the bill, stating it would clarify reporting structures and improve coordination, addressing service delivery challenges in underperforming entities. Deputy Minister of Agriculture Ruth Masake also supported the bill, believing it would enhance accountability by distributing ownership and oversight responsibilities to line ministries.
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by The Namibian.
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