He asked that the House approve N$2,5 million for the setting up of the Anti-Corruption Commission and another N$8,8 million to get the Central Governance Agency off the ground.

The establishment of these two bodies fall under the Prime Minister's Office's largest programme for this financial year - that of securing effective, efficient and accountable public services - which will receive the biggest portion of the programme budget at N$53,4 million.

"I wish to emphasise that the Office of the Prime Minister has undertaken the task of improvement of governance and accountability in line with the developmental agenda," said Angula.

He told Parliament that it would be approached soon to appoint the Commission, but that the money he was requesting from the State budget would only be enough for initial start-up costs.

During the budget debate, members of opposition parties said too little was being spent on the anti-corruption drive compared to other programmes.

"This amount bears no relation to actual financial requirements that are needed for its activities.

Our [The Office of the Prime Minister's] role is to assist the Anti-Corruption Commission to get going as an operational entity as soon as possible.

The funds are not meant to dictate the programme of the Commission," said Angula.

A proposed law to set up the Central Governance Agency, the executive arm of the State-Owned Enterprises Council, would be tabled in Parliament during its next session, Angula said.

He said this body would enhance Namibia's socio-economic development by ensuring that parastatals are delivering what is expected of them.

"I wish to emphasise the point that it is also in this connection that the SOEs must be viewed as a strategic partner in the development coalition.

It is especially important that they give reality to the idea of National Inclusive Economic Empowerment Framework," said Angula.

The setting up of Framework, Angula said, would also give more momentum to black economic empowerment.

The Prime Minister's Office will execute three programmes over the next financial year at a cost of N$71 million - one programme less than the previous year, when the office was allocated N$78,8 million.

"This reduction in programmes has also caused us to reduce our main divisions from ten to six.

In this manner, we will be able to streamline and support our programmatic framework even better, reduce paperwork and ensure shorter turnaround times on accounting," said Angula.

Of the N$71 million, 57,6 per cent will go towards personnel expenditure, 22,7 per cent towards goods and services, subsidies and transfers 16,6 per cent, and capital assets 3,1 per cent.

Angula said the first programme, of just more than N$15 million, would enable him and his deputy to provide effective and efficient leadership with respect to Parliamentary business, as well as to provide proper advice, assistance and support to the President.