KATIMA MULILO – Zambezi Regional Governor, Lawrence Sampofu has reiterated his appeal for improved service delivery in government institutions and agencies in the region.
Sampofu says service delivery should be a collective effort and that an improved government image should manifest itself through the work of civil servants. Sampofu said this while addressing Heads of Departments (HoDs) and staff members of government and State Owned Enterprises (SOEs) in Katima Mulilo on Tuesday. According to Sampofu civil servants are part and parcel of programmes and activities undertaken by the government, including their implementation and should therefore ensure professionalism and commit themselves to represent government to the best of their ability. “What is required from all of us is service delivery to the residents of this region. When we are implementing policies of government, we should always represent government well. Let’s not say the government is there, we are the government,” he implored civil servants. Sampofu reiterated his dissatifaction with what he described as excessive bureaucracy, which he called one of the biggest stumbling blocks in the provision of quality service delivery. “Let’s heal this disease of bureaucracy. Something has to be implemented and you sit on papers, you don’t take any decision.
People want service. Many times we are told job cards pile up. We must kill this laziness, its killing us,” he stressed. He also expressed disappointed over reports of a lack of courtesy among civil servants, which are reaching his office. “Why should we come to offices moody? Don’t carry your problems to the office. If any staff [member] comes to work moody tell them to leave such kind of behaviours at home. We have to look at this as heads of departments. We must build relationships at the work place among ourselves and the public.” He made reference to the Department of Home Affairs, which he says is inundated with complaints from the public, because according to him its services leave a lot to be desired. “I am appealing to Home Affairs to improve their services. If you go around, people are complaining about Home Affairs. We are there to serve people. We also have a problem with Wenela Border Post. Our Zambian brothers and sisters are complaining. Let’s build relationships. We are also part of SADC. Let’s give respect to everybody,” Sampofu advised border officials. Supporting the governor, the chairperson of Zambezi Regional Council, Raphael Mbala said being a government employee is not a right, but a responsibility predicated on performance. “Do we really understand the meaning of a civil servant? We are employed to serve our people, but we have negative attitudes and no time or patience for our people. The fact that we are in positions is not a right, but a privilege. If we abuse that privilege government has a right to excuse us,” warned Mbala.
Despite the apparent lack of service delivery prevalent in most government institutions, Mbala said much has been achieved by the regional council such as the construction of offices, the Liselo-Linyanti-Kongola road, the envisaged green schemes and crocodile farm, as well as the distribution of drought relief food and other assistance to communities during emergencies. With the region sliding backwards in terms of the just released Grade 12 ordinary level results, Governor Sampofu was lost for words saying only that collective involvement is imperative. “From position 6 to 13? That’s shocking. Let’s assist where it’s possible. Let’s talk to our parents and teachers. Let’s involve everybody,” he suggested. Sampofu further called for a massive development agenda, referring particularly to the green schemes which he believes could be the solution to youth unemployment. “We have fertile land and an abundance of water. We must start with green schemes. In 2011 I took the chiefs to Kavango to see how these projects are benefiting people. Now our chiefs gave us massive land for agricultural purposes. It’s up to us to start with the work. Let’s not return money to treasury. If you don’t know how to utilise the money, consult. Let’s create jobs, the youths are the most affected. They are our future leaders, we don’t want to produce gangsters and drunkards,” Sampofu said. He further appealed to residents, particularly those living in areas along the border with Botswana to refrain from cross-border poaching. “Our relationship with Botswana should be built from the common person to the level of government. People should stop crossing over into Botswana to engage in poaching,” Sampofu urged residents. Many Namibians in the Zambezi Region have lost their lives at the hands of Botswana Defence Force (BDF) soldiers for alleged poaching, often threatening to upset relations between the two countries.
The governor also welcomed suggestions from public servants, who raised concerns such as drug and alcohol abuse, particularly among young people, the scourge of HIV and AIDS, rape, house breaking, marital problems and passion killings in the region. John Ntemwa, the chairperson of Zambezi Youth Forum appealed to decision makers to involve his organisation whenever decisions affecting the youth are taken. John Mayumbelo, the head of the Home Affairs department in the region cleared the air regarding the perceived poor service, saying the department is overwhelmed by clients and that in the past some people have attempted to seek services fraudulently in contravention of the law, a situation that has necessitated caution and prudence which has ultimately led to bureaucracy and alleged mistreatment. The absence of constituency councillors at the meeting did not resonate well with those in attendance. They questioned how development ideas can be implemented when the people’s representatives are absent at important meetings. “I am surprised by the absence of councillors in this meeting. How can they go out to the community without even hearing what we provide as institutions,” complained Richard Kambinda the Manager of the Zambezi Vocational Training Centre. Governor Sampofu also announced at the event that this year’s main May Day celebrations will be held in Katima Mulilo.
By George Sanzila