By Kaundjire Humbu
Body of Christ Party (BCP) leader and Member of Parliament Bishop Festus Thomas has questioned where the government’s promised jobs are, criticising the 2026/27 Mid-Term Appropriation Bill for failing to adequately address unemployment, the rising cost of living and the deteriorating state of essential public services.
Contributing to the budget debate in the National Assembly, Thomas said the government’s presentation was dominated by financial figures but failed to reflect the everyday struggles of ordinary Namibians.
He questioned the absence of a clear job creation strategy, particularly at a time when youth unemployment remains above 40 percent, according to figures he cited in his contribution.
“Our graduates are sitting at home with degrees in their hands and no hope in their hearts. Small and Medium Enterprises, the backbone of our economy, are closing every day,” he said.
Thomas argued that the revised budget offered no clear and measurable targets for employment creation, no emergency employment programme, no concrete stimulus for small and medium enterprises and no dedicated youth empowerment fund.
He questioned how government intended to address unemployment without deliberately investing in programmes that support young people and local businesses.
His concerns come as finance minister Ericah Shafudah’s mid-year budget review seeks to adjust government spending amid slower economic growth, declining revenue projections and increasing debt-servicing obligations.
The review proposed increasing the 2026/27 budget appropriation from N$87.9 billion to N$88.6 billion, against a challenging fiscal environment that includes a projected N$1.5 billion revenue shortfall.
Thomas also turned his attention to the cost of living, saying the rising prices of food, electricity, water and transport had placed ordinary households under increasing financial pressure.
He questioned whether the revised allocations adequately considered families struggling to meet their basic needs.
“The price of food, electricity, water, and transport has gone up beyond the reach of the ordinary citizen. But this Bill offers no relief,” he said.
He further criticised what he described as misplaced spending priorities, arguing that government continued allocating resources towards operational expenditure, including travel, subsistence and travel allowances, while essential public institutions struggled to deliver basic services.
According to Thomas, hospitals were struggling with medicine shortages, while schools lacked textbooks and communities continued demanding improved service delivery.
He argued that public expenditure should be guided by the needs of citizens rather than the operational comfort of government institutions.
“A budget is a moral document, Hon. Speaker. It must show who we care for,” he said.
Thomas maintained that a budget which balances the books without deliberately prioritising job creation, poverty eradication and youth empowerment had failed to fulfil its purpose.
He consequently said he could not support the Mid-Term Appropriation Bill in its current form.
The finance minister is yet to respond to the questions raised by Thomas and is expected to do so at the conclusion of contributions to the Mid-Term Appropriation Bill debate.
