WINDHOEK – President Hifikepunye Pohamba said the only way to be able to effectively respond to the expectations of the people is to remain committed to timely and expeditious implementation of decisions. “We must therefore ensure that the necessary measures, systems and tools are put in order to ensure a coordinated approach to effective policy implementation,” said Pohamba.
Speaking yesterday at the last cabinet meeting for the year, which he described as “long but productive”, Pohamba set his cabinet members in the festive spirit by ordering them to take a deserved holiday break and come back recharged for the new year.
He said government recognizes the fact that not all Namibians have been reached through the provision of basic services and other amenities, but reaffirmed the government’s determination to make sure all citizens are treated equally.
“In the light of the recent elections it is important to be cognisant of the fact that the larger the victory, the higher the expectations of our people. We must therefore pause and deeply reflect on achievements recorded and shortcomings encountered,” he said.
Pohamba said cabinet members should critically analyze the effectiveness of the implementation of cabinet decisions and the policy measures initiated, both in earlier years and during 2014.
“In this connection we must prepare ourselves to work harder in the new year,” said the Head of State.
He said during the past year various cabinet decisions were taken with the main focus on the implementation of policies and programmes geared towards the achievement of the national development goals and objectives.
“Various government offices, ministries and agencies (O/M/As) formulated and presented policy options to Cabinet for reconsideration and approval, covering a wide spectrum of social and economic development areas including the improvement of our education system, health care, housing, sanitation and food production,” emphasized Pohamba.
In a full house meeting, he said he was particularly happy with government programmes that were successfully implemented around the country with specific focus on employment creation and poverty reduction.
“We should remain focused on capacity building and training of our people, which is an important catalyst for socio-economic development,” he stated.
Other notable decisions by Cabinet this year, Pohamba said, include the approval of the review of the education curriculum to respond to the challenges and needs of the Namibian society, and the abolition of the payment of school development funds.
He said the health sector provided directives, among others, to combat malnutrition of people and renovate medical facilities. “These and other decisions will go a long way towards the improvement of service delivery in our health sector,” Pohamba stated.
In the agriculture sector, Pohamba said, he was encouraged by the progress made and which continues to be made with the implementation of the green scheme programmes at Ndonga Linena and Sikondo. The latter, he said, continues to produce various crops for the local market.
“These projects can now market and sell their produce at the fresh produce hubs that were built at Ongwediva and Rundu,” stated the president.
Pohamba said Cabinet directed the O/M/As to include in their food supply tender specifications a requirement that as far as is feasible and practicable, food supplies be sourced locally, particularly from the national fresh produce business hubs.
“As part of government’s commitment to gender equality, Cabinet approved the coordination mechanism for the implementation of the National Gender Policy in Namibia and directed all relevant O/M/As to ensure full support for the proposed mechanism in all sector policies, programmes, plans, budgets, implementation, monitoring and evaluation,” he elaborated.
He praised cabinet members for working hard during the election campaigns that resulted in a resounding electoral victory for the Swapo Party both in the National Assembly and presidential elections.
He said the fact that Namibian voters have elected Swapo Party is a sign that the electorate have confidence in the party to continue growing the country.”Through their democratic voice at the ballot box, they have acknowledged the work done by Swapo Party over the years to bring about and accelerate the economic and social development of our country,” he said.
By Fifi Rhodes