WINDHOEK – President Hifikepunye Pohamba once again reiterated the importance of education saying it is the most effective weapon against poverty and under-development.
Addressing the first ordinary Cabinet meeting of the new year Pohamba made a renewed appeal for the improvement and consolidation of the education sector. “While some improvements have been made, and while some students and schools have performed well, the broader picture is that the examination results of recent years have been rather disappointing. This is a cause for great concern, and it must change,” the Head of State told Cabinet ministers. According to the president the construction of more classrooms, teachers’ housing units and other school infrastructure should be accelerated as a matter of urgency, particularly in the rural areas. He indicated that education is the foundation for the nation’s social and economic development.
He further called for the implementation of the recommendations of the 2011 National Education Conference in order to address the identified shortcomings and to improve the academic performance of learners at all levels.
President Pohamba also touched on the relationship between government and the private sector. “Our government remains committed to creating the necessary conditions for the private sector to make its due contribution to the eradication of poverty, skills formation and the improvement of the living conditions of our people,” he said. He called on the private sector to invest in business ventures that can create more sustainable jobs for unemployed Namibians, especially the youth. “We call on the private sector to provide apprenticeships and practical training opportunities to our youth.” He further gave assurances that the government stands ready to work closely with the private sector in the implementation of such initiatives.
Improve health delivery
The president also called for improvement in the country’s problematic health delivery system. Many sectors of Namibian society continue to demand a total revamp of the country’s health delivery system. According to the president it is imperative for the health delivery system, especially in public hospitals, health centres and clinics countrywide to improve. “A healthy nation is a productive nation. Therefore, no efforts should be spared in ensuring that our people have access to quality healthcare,” he said. The president also implored lawmakers to utilize the allocated public resources for the benefit of all Namibians. He said leaders must be motivated by the imperative of serving “our people and building a better society where no one is left behind.”
“We must do everything to ensure that the public resources entrusted to us by the Namibian people are utilized efficiently and effectively to bring about tangible, visible and sustainable improvement in the living conditions of our people,” said the president. He also appealed to Cabinet ministers attending the last Cabinet session under his administration to continue working hard to coordinate the actions and programmes of government and to abide by the principle of collective responsibility.
Notable absentees during the year’s first Cabinet meeting were the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, the Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Richard Kamwi and the Minister of Education Dr David Namwandi. The three are out of the country on separate official commitments in England, Malawi and Cuba respectively and were represented by their deputies.
“The task of nation building demands that we as leaders spare no effort in serving our people and carrying out the duties, responsibilities and mandates entrusted to us by our citizens,” Pohamba said.
He further said that he wants to see national projects such as the Kudu Gas-to-Power Project, the expansion of the Walvis Bay Port and the construction of Neckartal Dam implemented as speedily as humanly possible. “Initiatives such as the finalisation of the Implementation Strategy Framework for the Industrial Policy, the Modernisation of our Foreign Investment Act, and the new Public Procurement Law must be completed expeditiously,” he said. The president also directed all institutions involved in the finalisation of the Public-Private Partnership Framework to finalise it as a matter of urgency to boost economic activity across the country.
Monitor drought situation
Although some parts of the country have received rain over the past few weeks the president is concerned that the drought is likely to persist, because rainfall remains inadequate in some parts of the country. As a result, Pohamba directed the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry to continue supporting communal farmers by rendering subsidized ploughing services. “We must continue monitoring the drought situation and improve our preparedness to address future challenges effectively,” Pohamba said. He also wants steps to be taken to assist both communal and commercial farmers to restock their herds in order to mitigate the impact of the drought. “The production of our beef industry should be increased,” he said.
Right to vote a civic duty
He implored all Namibians aged 18 and above to register and to cast their votes during the November Presidential and National Assembly elections. “No Namibian should be disenfranchised. I call upon all eligible voters to register in order to exercise their democratic right and indeed their civic duty to vote during the elections,” urged Pohamba. He said he is aware of the teething problems experienced during the voter registration process, but indicated that he has been informed that such problems have largely been addressed. “However, some problems still persist.
For example, our citizens who live in informal settlements are unable to satisfy the residency requirements of registering for local authority elections. In addition, the uniformed personnel and students are facing the same problems,” he said. “It is also disconcerting that some sections of our society are discouraging potential voters from registering,” said Pohamba.
By Mathias Haufiku