Windhoek
Regional development coordinating committees (RDCCs) that are mainly dormant are hampering service delivery in most regions, with only three of the country’s 14 RDCCs fully operational.
The three regions where the RDCCs are operational were identified as Kunene, Erongo and Omaheke.
This was revealed by the chairperson of the National Council, Margareth Mensah-Williams, yesterday at the Post-Election Seminar of the Fifth National Council that was held in Windhoek.
RDCCs provide a platform for projects identified at constituency level to be tabled in the management meetings and discussed extensively. Identified projects that are not approved at RDCCs are then included in the strategic plans of the regional councils for further consideration when resources are available. The committees are chaired by the chief regional officers.
Mensah-Williams questioned the commitment of RDCC members who often skip meetings where regional plans should be discussed.
She said RDCC meetings are often cancelled because there is hardly any quorum.
“But in some regions the committees work very well,” said the Khomasdal North Constituency councillor.
She said it will be obligatory for all National Council members to submit quarterly regional reports.
“The performance management system has been approved by Cabinet as a government policy for improved service delivery to our citizens. The National Council will oblige all members to provide quarterly regional reports and they have to sign to commit to this,” she said.
She said the quarterly reports would be debated in parliament and forwarded to President Hage Geingob
Mensah-Williams also said most councilors still do not understand what their jobs entail.
“Many of them [regional councillors] do not understand what is expected of them. If you listen to them on the radio they merely make announcements because they think that is why they are there,” she said.
She said line ministries cannot take the full blame for a lack of development in the regions.
“Before we blame ministries we must ask ourselves what we are doing to make sure they understand our work.”
Opening the weeklong seminar, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila outlined the importance of RDCCs and called for increased consultation between the two houses of parliament.
The PM said development committees should remain functional at all times “because we all have a role to play when it comes to tackling pressing needs and concerns of the public.”
As the chief coordinator of all government activities, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila called on those who have difficulties accessing development committees to report the matter to her office so that appropriate action can be taken.
She also stressed the importance of regular consultations between the National Assembly and the National Council in order to coordinate the business of the two.
“This does not mean that there should not be differences of opinion on certain business or bills between the two houses. In fact, such differences are encouraged, but they should be properly managed in order to enhance the legislative process,” she said.
She further called on lawmakers to carry out their programmes and promises, address the worries and protect the interests of the public.
The seminar will discuss issues such as best parliamentary practices, art of diplomacy and parliamentary ethics, public finance management, effective questioning techniques and the role of parliamentary committees, among others.