By Confidente Reporter
THE Whistleblowers Protection Bill is amongst 10 new bills set to be tabled in Parliament, President Hage Geingob said during the opening of the 3rd session of the 6th Parliament Tuesday.
The Bill will protect anyone who exposes alleged wrongdoing in government bodies, projects and offices as well as provide mechanism to investigate alleged corruption and misuse of power. The wrongdoing might be fraud, corruption or mismanagement.
The other bills include the Child Justice Bill, Estate Agents and Property Developer Bill, Land Bill, Marital Property Bill, Namibia Industrial Development Agency, Property Valuers Profession Amendment Bill, Appropriation Bill, Agronomic Industry Bill as well as the Business and Intellectual Property Bill.
“These bills are crucial in our efforts to combat a number of burning issues that we are currently faced with namely poverty, violence against women and children, inability of local entrepreneurs to participate in the business market, rising cost of housing, unavailability of land and crime amongst others.
“I therefore urge you to debate these bills knowing that you are not speaking on your own behalves but on behalf of the country’s young and old and the country’s women, men and children,” Geingob said as he addressed members of Parliament.
Editor’s Forum of Namibia (EFN) Coordinator Elizabeth M’ule said that the Whistleblowers Protection Bill is a positive step towards accessing the Information Act.
“It’s one step towards having an access to Information Act which Namibia does not have despite having been highly ranked by the Reporters without Borders. Namibia will also make great strides in fighting corruption because if you protect your whistleblowers it means you are giving them a chance to come forward with concrete information on any wrongdoing.”
In the same breath, Geingob rubbished reports that Government is struggling financially.
“We have a growing and stable economy, and we continue to be favorable rated by international rating agencies. Unlike what some wanted to portray, the Namibian Government is not broke. To the contrary, we are a credit worthy nation and the long term outlook for Namibia is positive. This government will continue to build on the legacy of fiscal discipline and prudence that was built over 25 years. The President also noted that within a year his team demonstrated that they mean business when it comes to poverty eradication, promotion of transparency and building an inclusive Namibian house. He also encouraged the legislature to put aside personal differences and the desire to settle scores. “Let us think of our people. Let us think of the poor and pull together as one people in one direction with one goal, prosperity for all”