DTA youth warns to sue Govt over new Parliament

By Eliaser Ndeyanale
DTA youth league (DTAYL) has threatened to take Government to Court if it goes ahead with its plan of building a new Parliament building worth N$2.2 billion.
DTA youth league secretary Benson Katjirijova condemns the plan to build a new Parliament building citing that it is not a priority and the masses on the ground are facing burning issues such as poverty, hunger and lack of proper housing that Government needs to address as a priority.
In an exclusive interview with Confidente in Windhoek last week, Katjirijova said there was no need to build a new building.
“They must renovate and expand the existing building and use the remaining money to build hospitals, roads and classrooms.
“The new parliament is not for national interest. Why can’t Government renovate hospitals and build new ones? The population of Windhoek has grown and the health institutions can no longer accommodated patients. People are dying every day in the corridors of Katutura and Central hospitals but Government doesn’t do anything. All they do is to buy Mercedes Benz for themselves. Why would you want to spend N$2 billion on something that will benefit only 104 people?” he asked. In another development he implored all people irrespective of their political affiliation to support DTAYL when it takes the Government to court. He has also instructed the Government to spend money where it is needed.
“They are not at those positions to serve themselves but to serve the people on the ground. When they are told not to use a lot of money, they are boasting about their liberation credentials without noticing that the war has ended.” The 2016 to 2017 development budget tabled in the National Assembly last month allocates N$2 billion for the construction, renovation and improvement of the new parliament building, while the other N$260 million is for feasibility study, design and supervision, however, the exorbitant prices were heavily criticised by Deputy Minister of Lands Bernadus Swartbooi when he told the National Assembly that he did not support the proposed project. Swartbooi said there were other priorities such as the provision of water and sanitation. “I support the vote to expand, improve and plan ahead consistently.
I don’t support a new parliament building that will cost either N$700 million or N$2 billion. I don’t support it.”
Last month DTA president McHenry Venaani tweeted, “In the 90s we built a National Council building yet again they need a new chamber are we thinking country or personal interest? Pro-poor means something different to my adversaries what is pro-poor about constructing a N$2 billion Parliament while 2400 classrooms are needed?”