The Clerk of Tynwald, Roger Phillips, has returned from a second EU-funded mission to Namibia where he delivered a one-day workshop designed to help shape how the republic’s parliament will revise its standing orders to develop robust legislative scrutiny processes in relation to government delivery of poverty reduction strategies.

Mr Phillips, together with a former House of Commons colleague, had been commissioned to work on the parliamentary oversight project as part of an EU-funded Namibia poverty reduction programme.  He explained: ‘It was an honour to represent Tynwald and for it to be seen leading the way in revising the republic’s parliamentary procedures. In summary I was tasked to prepare a report that offered recommendations to adapt the Standing Rules and Orders in order for Members of the Namibian parliament to be better equipped to monitor government policy delivery on poverty reduction, a key issue in a country whose economy relies on subsistence farming.’

Mr Phillips gave the presentation at the Tintenpalast, Windhoek, seat of the Namibian parliament since independence in 1990. He explained: ‘The session was well received and involved the Prime Minister Angula Nahas, Speaker of the National Assembly Theo-Ben Gurirab, deputy Speaker Mrs Loide Kasingo and most members of the National Assembly, including a large number of the government. I presented the report after which I took questions. Discussion touched on a range of important political matters and continued for much of the day.’

The Speaker has invited Mr Phillips to return to Namibia later this year for further discussions.

Mr Phillips also took the opportunity to present the Speaker with three signed first-day covers of Manx stamps based on designs created by renowned Isle of Man-based artist Dr Jeremy Paul, who has previously visited the republic to paint wildlife.