WALVIS BAY – Governor of the Erongo Region Kleophas Mutjavikua says civil servants should deliver satisfactory service to the nation.
According to him civil servants should take the functions of governance seriously, adding that it is not only about occupying positions, but first and foremost the delivery of effective and satisfactory services to all Namibians. Mutjavikua said this during his annual new year address at the Walvis Bay municipal chambers on Tuesday afternoon. “It is what the local government is supposed to do. Those in governance bodies or the local authorities need to understand that it is not only about occupying position, but it is about delivering services to the Namibian people. It is about effective and efficient management of public affairs. Indeed, it is about setting up targets and conducting periodic reviews to see whether the set targets are being achieved or not and to [undertake] remedial actions,” he explained.
The governor is of the opinion that during 2014, the Namibian people would demand services from all public servants, local authorities and councils.
“If we don’t deliver they will demonstrate and cause socially undesirable chaos. Let us rather be pro-active and be on top of our national assignments,” Mutjavikua said.
He further said the role of local authorities in the contemporary era has changed rapidly, since they had to take on other co-functions that were not traditionally under their domain. “Investment promotion and the creation of a conducive environment in a local authority area has become more important than ever before.
We should take in account that urban residents will demand more and better services and we as public servants should meet their demands,” he said, urging municipalities and regional councils to carry out proper work that would add value to the services available in the country. “Furthermore, I want to reiterate my council’s stance on supporting, consolidating and initiating public private partnerships aimed at fast-tracking meaningful development, prosperity generation and quality of life advancements for our residents,” the governor said.
At the same occasion, the mayor of Walvis Bay, councillor Uilika Nambahu said service delivery continues to enjoy priority at the town. “As such, all our staff are fully conversant with our strategic plan and about what is expected from them in terms of our mandate. My wish is that we work hard and collectively for the benefit of our town,” she said.
By Eveline de Klerk