Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry John Mutorwa unveiled the ministry’s new offices in Rundu last week.
The N$27 million facility is situated opposite Paradise Supermarket and will be used as offices mainly for the regional heads of different directorates within the ministry in Kavango East Region, namely: the Directorate of General Services (DGS), Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), Directorate of Agricultural Production, Extension and Engineering Services (DAPEES), Directorate of Agricultural Research and Development (DARD), Directorate of Water Supply and Sanitation Coordination (DWSSC) and the Directorate of Forestry (DOF).
According to Mutorwa the headquarters will be used as a national office, not just for residents of Kavango but anyone from around Namibia would be assisted.
“If you have any ministry-related issue or query, you will find all the advice and answers right here at this Rundu regional office. It is a regional one-stop centre!” said Mutorwa. Mutorwa said the new double-storey building marks a significant visible milestone in the ministry’s efforts to bring services closer to the people.
“This will be the place where citizens, residents, farmers and members of the public of the global village can and must access all crucial and essential ministry services under one roof,” said Mutorwa
The establishment of the offices does not only clearly and convincingly demonstrate the absolute importance of agricultural, water and forestry services but also indeed underlines it, the minister said.
“For our government, all citizens and for all residents of our republic. For example, the government’s green scheme national irrigation projects like Shadi Kongoro, Mashare, Musese, Uvungu-Vungu, Ndonga Linena, Shitemo, the national strategic food reserve facilities (silos) and the national fresh produce hubs for our grains and fresh produce are crucially important for Namibia’s national food security, which is a priority in Namibia’s Vision 2030 document,” he said.
Mutorwa urged officials and the public to take good care of the building and not to vandalize it, but most of all to provide efficient service to the people.
“To those who will move into this building and operate from here: Welcome! Make the prudent utilization of these offices your personal business and professional commitment, and provide the people of Namibia with the services they rightfully deserve. We are all public and civil servants – not public bosses; nor small minded civil rulers.”
Governor Dr Samuel Mbambo thanked the agriculture ministry for the facility: “Thank you, this region considers itself lucky to have received these headquarters within a very short time after receiving equally important infrastructure such as a fresh hub and Rundu National Agriculture and Technology Centre,” Mbambo said.
He added: “We are all aware of the looming drought and the expected harvest this year is worse, thus this regional headquarters came at the right time. Your advice and guidance will be sought.”