//Kharas governor Aletha Frederick said it is the collective responsibility of politicians and administrators to use the resources at their disposal to provide the necessary leadership to alleviate the challenges that the region’s citizens are facing.
She said this while delivering her New Year’s message to the region’s local and regional councillors and staff on Monday in Keetmanshoop.
“Platforms such as this one gives us time to look ahead and think about what difference we can make in the lives of the inhabitants of the //Kharas region through the positions that we are appointed in,’’ she noted.
She was further adamant that, regardless of differences in political ideologies, the basic service delivery needs of the people remain the same, and everyone is duty-bound to serve their people all equally without any discrimination, favouritism or tribalism.
She added that all present are placed as representatives exercising delegated power on behalf of the central, regional and local government to serve and bring services closer to the people.
“The end of the year and the beginning of a new one provides us all with an opportunity for reflection and introspection, as well as to plan for the future,’’ said the regional head. Frederick acknowledged 2021 as a very difficult year because of Covid-19, which caused personal tragedies such as the loss of loved ones, an economic crisis, whilst others are still battling illnesses and other troubling situations.
“The responsibilities of councillors, among others, are to plan, coordinate and facilitate service delivery in order to enhance the social and economic development of the region as stipulated in the Regional Councils’ Act of 1992,’’she continued.
“Each councillor, in every constituency, has been voted into this public office, primarily with very specific expectations, namely to bring basic services to the people and to address and find solutions to socio-economic development challenges such as job creation and the eradication of poverty and hunger,’’ Frederick emphasised.
She regarded the expectations of the community as legitimate as they need food, water, education for their children, good health facilities, decent shelter, toilet facilities, good roads and access to business and job opportunities.
“The government system is interdependent, meaning for any issue one intends to address, it will require that you involve one or more institutions to address that particular issue,’’ she said.
Frederick then informed the gathering that as governor, she is responsible to report to the President on issues pertaining to the region in every domain.
“By this mandate, all regional and local government structures, including all state-owned agencies, should report and update the governor on all issues on the implementation of government programmes and development plans in the region,” she added.
– sklukowski@nepc.com.na