Namibia Moves to Fast-Track Legal Reforms Hindering Development and Service Delivery

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Government Orders Urgent Legal Amendments to Eliminate Bureaucratic Delays and Political Interference

The Namibian government has initiated an urgent drive to revise and amend laws that obstruct effective service delivery and delay the implementation of national development projects. This decisive move comes under the directive of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who is calling for the immediate elimination of legal ambiguities that hinder progress.

Delivering the President’s statement to Parliament, Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare stressed the urgent need to amend legislation that stalls the execution of key government initiatives, especially those outlined in the ruling SWAPO Party’s Manifesto Implementation Plan. “We must move fast and amend laws that hinder progress and implementation of identified projects. Ugly grey areas in our laws must be removed to ensure effective service delivery,” Ngurare said.

A central part of these reforms includes the Regional Councils Amendment Bill, introduced by Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa. The proposed bill seeks to depoliticise administrative functions by transferring human resource management duties from politically elected Regional Councils to professional administrative structures. Ngurare explained that this reform is necessary to protect fairness, transparency, and operational integrity within public institutions. He warned that continued political influence over administrative processes leads to inefficiency and possible abuse of power.

“Where powers and authority over administrative functions such as staff appointments and discipline vest in a political body, it creates room for administrative processes to be subjected to undue political influence or being politicised,” Ngurare explained.

In a broader push for public sector reform, the President’s message condemned bureaucratic inertia and corruption. Ngurare emphasised that ministers and civil servants are expected to operate with urgency, transparency, and full accountability. “The Government shall not tolerate corruption, delaying tactics and corridor hindrance, as it is business unusual,” he declared. “Anyone that stands in the way of effective service delivery will be swept away by the tidal wave of our uncompromising commitment.”

To ensure implementation, all ministers have been instructed to submit quarterly progress reports and are strictly prohibited from returning unused funds to the Treasury while public projects remain unfinished. This measure is aimed at enhancing financial efficiency and expediting development goals. “Those found wanting in this regard will be held accountable,” Ngurare warned.

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Additionally, the Anti-Corruption Commission and other law enforcement bodies have been urged to step up efforts in detecting and prosecuting malpractices within government institutions.

The President’s directive concluded with a powerful call for nationwide coordination and action. “In all 14 Regions, in all 121 Constituencies, as the saying goes ‘the dust must be seen’,” Ngurare said, stressing that development efforts must be tangible and visible across the entire country. This sweeping legislative reform agenda marks a significant shift in Namibia’s approach to governance and public service, aiming to dismantle legal bottlenecks, reduce political interference, and deliver timely development outcomes to the Namibian people.