Windhoek: Members of Parliament on Monday raised concerns over inefficiencies, inequitable resource allocation, and the limited impact of youth empowerment programmes during debate on Vote 27. While lawmakers expressed support for the budget allocation to youth, sports, and national service under the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, several cautioned that current interventions are not translating into tangible benefits for young people.According to Namibia Press Agency, Popular Democratic Movement lawmaker Winnie Moongo questioned the effectiveness of skills development programmes, calling for better alignment with labour market demands. The ministry has allocated N.dollars 35 million for the operational budget for youth development programmes, including skills training. 'It's really disheartening that we train young people and they end up being unemployed,' she said. Moongo further proposed the introduction of a tracer system to monitor outcomes.The operational budget w ill also support youth enterprise funding, constituency-based enterprise development, and the scaling up of life skills programmes. Leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, Imms Nashinge, called for reforms within the National Youth Service (NYS), saying its current focus is too narrow. 'There is more that we can do than just train young people to become security officers,' he said. Nashinge advocated for the expansion of training into green technologies and vocational sectors such as renewable energy. 'These are some of the things young people can do, but we are not doing that,' he added.The ministry has allocated N.dollars 122 million to the NYS for the 2026/2027 financial year, with a target to train 1,500 youth at the Henties Bay and Rietfontein training centres. Several members also raised concern over the exclusion of rural areas from national sport due to inadequate infrastructure at rural schools.Swapo Party lawmaker Sirkka Hausiku sought clarity on the distribution of funds for regional sports development. She questioned how the N.dollars 5 million allocated for sport development programmes across all 14 regions would be shared, warning that some regions often miss out. 'I want to find out what formula is used to divide the N.dollars 5 million among the 14 regions. Sometimes funds are allocated for a programme, but some regions do not get anything,' she said.Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare emphasised the need for accountability and measurable outcomes. 'The figures must translate into practical and tangible benefits to the young people,' he said. He further called for urgency in the implementation of youth programmes, adding: 'Let every dollar put a smile on the faces of the young people.'