KARASBURG - Stakeholders should not just inform citizens about public services available, they are mandated to ensure these residents are indeed receiving such services.
//Kharas governor, Aletha Frederick made these remarks on Monday during one of her first regional meetings at Karasburg East constituency, forming part of her constituency service delivery assessments. She added that it is an honour for her to share such platforms with both political and public service leaders who exercise their delegated powers on behalf of central government with the aim of serving and bringing services closer to citizens in the //Kharas region.
“Therefore, I trust that each one of us in this space is being moved by the spirit of serving and improving service delivery that is motivated by our ultimate and fundamental purpose of the offices that we hold,” Frederick emphasised.
She said this entails easing service provision by not only influencing policy and regulatory structures, but also influencing the allocation of resources.
“You should, in the same vein, however, be on guard for factors that could compromise effective governance, such as a lack of accountability, noticeable leadership in the regional structures, coordination and inconsiderate approach to the established authority - and communication channels,” she cautioned.
She also advised citizens to first approach the appropriate layers of government (local authorities, constituency offices or regional council) instead of directly reporting their challenges to her office.
“In such instances, it will be difficult for me to assist you in a proper manner without being consulted by these government structures in place and this might also influence relationships between them and my office in terms of disregarding our different mandates,” the governor explained.
Frederick said the expectations of effective service delivery of the citizens are legitimate, as they expect their elected leaders to address challenges such as food security, the quest for land, water, decent shelter, sanitation as well as access to higher education/vocational training opportunities, health facilities, good roads and employment opportunities.
“They want to see real development in their communities and constituencies, and they are optimistic that the councillors they have elected will be in the position to satisfy their expectations,” she asserted.
The governor also said it is the collective responsibility of the various stakeholders to use the resources at their disposal to improve the wellbeing of people and provide the necessary leadership to alleviate the challenges that citizens are facing.
In her welcoming remarks, Karasburg East constituency councillor Anseline Beukes, described the purpose of the meeting as that of deliberating on the way forward in terms of implementing developmental plans and projects as a means to address socio economic challenges and furthermore ensure proper service delivery for residents.
“I am thus urging you to come up with programmes and activities in order to ensure the design and development of a robust and comprehensive human security,” she added.
Beukes also called on both stakeholders and citizens to strive towards establishing harmonious relationships to build a better and prosperous //Kharas region together.
- sklukowsi@nepc.com.na