Windhoek: Ahead of the 2026 Parliament opening session on Tuesday, members of the public have called on Members of Parliament (MPs) to prioritise poverty eradication, service delivery, and job creation, with some expressing mixed views on last year's performance.

According to Namibia Press Agency, resident Paul van Wyk stated that although some progress was made during the previous parliamentary year, more attention must be directed toward improving living conditions in informal settlements. Van Wyk noted that poverty remains a major concern despite Namibia's natural resource wealth and small population. He highlighted the need for the government to prioritize serviced land and affordable housing to enhance livelihoods, suggesting that authorities consider providing free serviced plots to residents while allowing them to pay gradually for utilities such as water and electricity.

Meanwhile, Natangwe Simon expressed the view that while Parliament showed effort last year, MPs must focus more on fulfilling promises made to voters and promoting economic empowerment. Simon emphasized the importance of Parliament prioritizing initiatives that empower citizens to create their own employment opportunities instead of relying solely on government-provided jobs. He urged leaders to bring development and teach people how to create jobs for themselves rather than merely engaging in debates and opposition.

Both residents acknowledged that Parliament plays a critical role in driving national development and urged lawmakers to ensure that policies adopted translate into tangible improvements in citizens' lives.