Landless People's Movement (LPM) MP in the National Council, Willem Labuschagne, has raised a concern over section 30 of the Roads Bill, which he said could burden the poor. 

The section gives the Roads Authority or the minister the power to erect fences on the sides and across the road and requires landowners to contribute 50% of the cost to maintain these fences.

"Who is responsible for the other 50% of the cost? Under the current pressing economic climate on the agricultural sector with all sorts of taxes, compulsory minimum wages and domestic household commitments, the landowner and farmer will be poorer at the end of the day. Section 30 of the Road Bill needs to be relooked at."

While some members support the bill, others said it is important for the government to invest in training programmes for farmers or landowners on how best to maintain these fences instead of requiring them to contribute financially.

Others advocated for the inclusion of National Council members in committees or boards responsible for managing road infrastructure.

Swapo Party MP Abraham Kaushiweni pointed out restrictions on who may serve on road boards, noting exclusions such as non-Namibians, members of parliament, regional councillors, local authority councillors, traditional leaders, and executives. He acknowledged that the bill also contains positive provisions, including compensation measures.

Swapo Party MP Gerhard Shiimi emphasised the challenge of educating farmers on animal control and shared that, despite community meetings and law enforcement efforts, some farmers still struggle to manage their livestock effectively.

UDF MP Sebastiaan !Gobs raised concerns about the composition of road boards that span multiple regions. He noted that when boards cover more than one region, regional officers from those areas must be members, but this arrangement can lead to some regions receiving less attention for their roads. He cited examples such as Kunene sharing boards with Otjozondjupa and Oshana with Omusati, which he believes disadvantages certain regions.