Windhoek: Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare on Tuesday defended his recent consultations with small-scale importers, emphasizing the necessity of these engagements to identify and address legislative barriers hindering small businesses. This initiative seeks to develop solutions beyond mere discussion.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Ngurare made these remarks in the National Assembly while responding to Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) lawmaker Inna Hengari. Hengari had questioned whether repeated consultations with young entrepreneurs were yielding tangible results, particularly concerning complaints against the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA).
On Saturday, Ngurare held a consultative meeting with small-scale cross-border importers, known as 'Order With Me' traders, in Windhoek. The discussion focused on their longstanding concerns over high import duties imposed on their goods by NamRA. Hengari acknowledged Ngurare's consultative leadership style but argued that the traders' challenges were well-known and required action rather than further discussions.
She inquired about the interventions Ngurare planned following the consultative meeting with traders in Khomasdal over the weekend and whether his office had engaged NamRA on concerns raised by operators. In response, Ngurare stated that consultations are crucial for effective policymaking and lawmaking, emphasizing that discussions are not being held merely for their own sake.
'Lawmaking cannot succeed without consultation, and lawmaking also is not an infinite conversation for the sake of talking,' he said. Ngurare noted that the government had engaged NamRA extensively on challenges affecting traders, and the consultations had highlighted shortcomings in existing legislation.
The Prime Minister stated that the government intends to return to Parliament with legislative amendments aimed at removing obstacles faced by young entrepreneurs. Ngurare also urged NamRA to treat the traders fairly, stating, 'We have said to NamRA they must not treat these young people like some kind of objects. They must be listened to, and if they succeed, Namibia succeeds.'