Justicia Shipena
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader and member of parliament McHenry Venaani says Namibia must invest in irrigation infrastructure, agro-processing industries and modern agricultural value chains if it wants to promote rural development and economic diversification.
He made the remarks in the National Assembly while contributing to the budget debate last week.
“If we are serious about rural development and economic diversification, we must invest aggressively in irrigation infrastructure, agro-processing industries and modern agricultural value chains,” Venaani said.
Venaani said Namibia must move beyond gradual policy changes.
“Our economy remains too small, unemployment remains too high, and inequality continues to erode the promise of independence,” he said.
Venaani added that Namibia must expand its productive sectors to create jobs and strengthen the economy.
He also called for stronger public institutions to support economic growth.
“Our civil service must increasingly be equipped with expertise in industrial policy, economic planning, project management and infrastructure development,” he said.
Venaani said several countries strengthened their economies through capable state institutions and professional civil services.
He noted that Namibia has not developed irrigation infrastructure, which has resulted in underutilisation of its agricultural potential.
“We have perennial rivers that remain largely untapped. We lack a comprehensive national irrigation strategy capable of significantly expanding agricultural output,” he said.
According to Venaani, Namibia continues to export raw agricultural products while importing processed goods.
He said this pattern should change if the country wants to diversify its economy.
Venaani also raised concerns about the planning and implementation of capital projects.
He stated that the national budget includes some projects without adequate technical preparation.
“If we are to ensure that public investment drives economic growth, government must strengthen project readiness and planning before allocating funds,” he said.
He said infrastructure development remains important for economic growth, particularly roads, rail, water and electricity.
“Water and electricity in particular remain critical enablers of economic development,” Venaani said.
Venaani also addressed the housing shortage, saying many Namibians struggle to access affordable housing because of limited serviced land and slow land delivery systems.
“Government must accelerate the process of opening access to land and supporting large-scale housing development,” he said.
He said housing construction could stimulate economic activity and create jobs.
Venaani also questioned whether spending on education is producing the expected results.
“If we are spending billions on education, we must begin to measure input versus output,” he said.
He suggested that domestic capital could play a stronger role in financing development projects.
Venaani said institutions such as the Government Institutions Pension Fund could support infrastructure, agriculture and industrial projects through structured partnerships.
During the same debate, member of parliament Bonny Susiku said budget allocations have limited impact if hospitals and clinics cannot meet public demand.
“What use is a budget if it is only on paper while Namibians are dying because they cannot get healthcare?” he asked.
The Ministry of Health and Social Services received about N$12.3 billion during the 2025/26 financial year and about N$13.1 billion in the current budget, including N$259 million to recruit more health workers.
Susiku said increased funding does not always improve access to healthcare.
“Sadly, the answer is no. For every billion allocated in this House, there are still Namibians who cannot access basic health services,” he said.
He also said many hospitals still in use were built during the apartheid era.
Susiku said some health projects have not progressed despite being announced.
Susiku said the budget should prioritise building clinics and improving health infrastructure so that communities do not have to travel long distances for treatment.
He also questioned whether facilities can accommodate the additional health workers the government plans to hire.
“This budget does not speak to the needs of the people,” Susiku said.
He urged lawmakers to reconsider the health allocation before implementation.
Meanwhile, the deputy minister in the Ministry of Industries, Mines and Energy and member of parliament Gaudentia Kröhne said the government has already identified N$2.3 billion in savings by reducing wasteful spending.
“This budget restores equilibrium between the demands of the present and the commitment to the future,” Kröhne said.
Kröhne urged parliament to approve the appropriation bill for the 2026/27 financial year so that government programmes can continue.
