The Turkish Cooperation Agency (Tika) on Tuesday handed over four digitally-enhanced rooms to the Parliament of Namibia.

During the hand-over ceremony, Speaker of the National Assembly, Peter Katjavivi said the essence of e-Parliament lies in creating an entity that is dynamic and inter-connected.

“It is about building digitally-enabled infrastructure that supports the core functions of lawmaking, oversight, and representation. The generous donation from the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency, which we are recognising today, marks a significant advancement in this journey,” he noted.

The upgraded rooms - the Pink room, Blue room, the Chambers and the Speaker’s boardroom – are now equipped with cutting-edge technology. “They are not merely rooms, but gateways that open up new possibilities for dialogue, decision-making and diplomacy,” he said.

“The adoption of digital tools as catalysed by the Covid-19 pandemic has underscored the urgency of our mission to future-proof our institution. The digital enhancements we inaugurate today are a testament to our resilience and determination to maintain the continuity of legislative work,” Katjavivi stated.

At the same event, Tika coordinator at the Namibia Office Aydin Apaydin observed that the day marked the inauguration of the latest achievement: the digitisation of rooms within the Namibian National Assembly. This modernisation introduces cutting-edge technology which ensures the National Assembly’s operations are more efficient, with enhanced communication and collaboration.

“We are thrilled not only to facilitate the digitisation of the assembly, but also to lay the groundwork for an e-Parliament, fostering greater transparency and accessibility. As we celebrate this milestone, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Cekerek Oruckaptan, ambassador of Turkey to Namibia, for her steadfast support in this,” he said. 

- Nampa