SWAKOPMUND - Erongo governor Neville Andre has called on civil servants in the region to redouble their efforts, plan properly and implement government programmes to benefit those they serve.

Andre made the call on Friday when he addressed public servants in Swakopmund as motivation for the year 2023.

He said public servants and their line ministries are facing a huge task, as residents are demanding service delivery.

“Gone are the days when we come to our offices and simply collect a pay cheque and vanish until the next salary. We now have performance management systems in place that monitor the progress on the approved plans. Our people need housing, water, adequate infrastructure development and economic upliftment projects in rural areas,” Andre said.

The governor added that residents of the region also require support to undertake their own developmental projects, while children need adequate recreational and sports facilities, regardless of where they are in the region.

He further said Erongo residents crave proper support and excellent customer service from public servants, that will not only foster good relations but also restore faith in service delivery.

“We need to see planners and extension officers in the field, on the ground, sitting with our communities to plan development initiatives in their respective areas. The issue of calling our people when the reporting time is near should end. We need to be on the ground and fight poverty and other challenges faced by our people.” 

Andre thus appealed for a new approach to deliver services in line with the existing public service charters.

“We need to make the region, the region of excellence in the true sense of the word. Yes, we are challenged with resources, but we need to cooperate to see what we can do with the limited resources. We have the right human resources in place, coupled with the necessary political support, so we can win in providing timely and efficient services to our people,” he stated. 

- edeklerk@nepc.com.na