WINDHOEK – The year 2014 could become a year of accountability on the political front, but also in terms of public service delivery.
Because government can only be as successful as each and every entity constituting it, the staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF) should strive towards being the strongest link in the chain that makes up government. With these words, the Minister of Agriculture , Water and Forestry John Mutorwa and Permanent Secretary Joseph Iita urged employees to work together in order to provide services that will benefit the nation in a very important year where all eyes will be on the elections. In his annual ministerial policy statement last Friday, Mutorwa reminded the 1 000 plus strong audience of employees and invited guests in the agricultural industry about the responsibility of leadership, but also the importance of each and every team member in the ministry. “Each and every staff member is to be held individually accountable for his or her deeds. Good or bad. Success has many parents, but failure is always an orphan,” he stressed. Iita, in his New Year’s welcoming address, reiterated the minister’s message saying the delivery of service by every employee is a must, emphasising that to be strong does not mean reckless or selfish, but rather mature and united. “Teamwork is the key to efficiency and success and guarantees a good working environment. A lot of work is waiting in 2014 and with the right team spirit we will pass with flying colours,” he said. As proof of what can be achieved with teamwork, Mutorwa mentioned various sets goals, objectives and targets which were successfully accomplished in 2013.
These include the Green Scheme Irrigation Projects, which increased the production of maize, rice, wheat, vegetables and fruit at Etunda and the National Fresh Produce Business Hubs in Rundu and Ongwediwa. “My message to everyone involved in these projects is: expansion, maximization and consolidation. The nation demands value for money in terms of quality of work and products delivered at these hubs,” he said.
He also urged colleagues in all departments to ensure that work for the construction of the Windhoek National Fresh Produce Business Hub in Wanaheda is intensified in 2014 so that the official inauguration can take place in the first quarter of 2015.
He highlighted the valuable work of colleagues in the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) pertaining to the issues of the eradication of trans-boundary animal diseases in the Northern Communal Areas (NCA’s). “The liberation of our cattle in the NCA’s from these diseases is and remains an important and inseparable part of our county’s agenda namely to struggle for economic empowerment and emancipation.” He said many water related projects have also been successfully accomplished and many boreholes were drilled and equipped. “Work on the construction of the Necartal Dam is on schedule and the Katima Mulilo-Kongola Water Supply projects have been completed. “Water is life and to provide water is a lifelong activity,” he stressed. He reminded the audience about the importance of service delivery in the forestry department, saying the Forest Council has unfortunately been inactive and invisible since its inauguration.
He also urged DVS and other stakeholders to finalise work on the Food Safety Bill. “Let us, here and now, rekindle and re-energise our resolve, individually and collectively, to ensure that the MAWF continue to positively and meaningfully contribute to the growth, progress, productivity and prosperity of Namibia in line with NDP4 and Vision 2030.”
By Deon Schlechter