WINDHOEK– Twenty permanent secretaries on Monday signed performance agreements with the Secretary to Cabinet Frans Kapofi in the presence of the Prime Minister Dr Hage Geingob in a move intended to improve efficient and effective service delivery.
Of the 24 permanent secretaries, 20 of them signed their performance agreements.
Permanent secretaries Alfred Ilukena (education), Selma Ashipala-Musavayi (foreign affairs), Joseph Iita (agriculture), and Erica Shafudah (finance) were out on official missions and could therefore not sign their agreements.
Prime Minister Dr Hage Geingob said at yesterday’s signing ceremony that, like the private sector, the public sector also needs to continuously reinvent itself to remain relevant and deal with a myriad of ever changing needs, tastes and demands by customers.
“There is a need for government to improve its offerings in the form of the delivery of public goods, products and services. This is important in enhancing the competitiveness of Namibia, which will subsequently have a spillover effect into the private sector as well,” said the premier.
The ever changing social demographics and demands as people gain knowledge and become sophisticated, said Geingob, warranted the need for a public sector that is dynamic and flexible enough to anticipate changes and adapt to them.
Geingob was hopeful that with the operationalization of the performance management system of the public service, employees in the public service would work towards the achievement of clearly defined objectives and specific targets that are measurable.
Accounting officers in the form of permanent secretaries, chief executive officers of parastatals and chief regional officers are enjoined to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of public goods, products and services by their respective institutions.
“These responsibilities, accountabilities and obligations are what public servants at your level would be answerable for in terms of the performance agreements you will sign,” he said.
Geingob said the signing of performance agreements by public servants will further enhance government’s efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public sector service
Meanwhile, Nampa quoted Secretary to Cabinet Frans Kapofi as having said the permanent secretaries that signed the performance agreements will report to him on the progress they have personally made, as well as on the results achieved by their institutions.
They will also be expected to deliver a report at the end of this year.
“I will meet you individually to discuss your performance, including challenges you have faced, and identify how best to resolve those issues and bring performances back on track,” Nampa quoted Kapofi as having said.
By Mathias Haufiku