Opening an induction programme for new nominees of the Okahandja Town Council at Swakopmund yesterday, Regional and Local Government Minister John Pandeni didn't mince his words in pointing out the shortcomings of many a local authority in Namibia - particularly that of Okahandja where constant internal squabbles led to the suspension of four senior officials last month.

Pandeni stressed the need for co-operation between politicians on one hand and administrative staff on the other: "Elected politicians and recruited staff must recognise each other.

Both are equally important in the process of local government.

Politicians must be the drivers towards Vision 2030.

How can you give political leadership if you don't want to work along with those who must see to the implementation of decisions?" Councillors needed to align their decisions with laid-down rules while recruited staff should see that structures and regulations were adhered to in those decisions.

"Forget about success if one pulls this way and another pulls that way," he said.

"You must understand the need to work with others.

No progress can come from a single individual.

Too often I hear 'no, I don't talk to the mayor or the CEO' or colleagues instigating things against each other.

How can we expect success if we leave each other in the air?" Pandeni said consultation between local authorities and the central Government was often neglected: "You must adhere to ministerial consultation.

You can't just send a letter to the Ministry and say 'I have consulted with them and can now proceed as I want to without waiting for their reply'.

Then, my dear, you are out of tune! Everyone should know where his role ends and another's begin."

The Minister expressed concern about the lack of maintenance of municipal properties in various areas.

"I often arrive at their premises and find everything is loose.

One can't even close the door of the toilet! But you spend money on travel while your offices are not maintained.

Sometimes the person doesn't even write a report when he returns.

Is that fair [to residents]? Even in our Ministry we sit together before trips and decide where we are going, why we are going there and what benefit it will bring to our people.

We must weigh up the costs and the potential benefits.

Improving the lives of the community must be your first priority."

On misappropriation and embezzlement of funds he said: "We will make those pay who use money for something it is not meant for.

Full stop."

Pandeni said the role of the private sector in curtailing unemployment was often not exploited because of an unwillingness on the part of councils to involve private businesses.

"I sometimes get the impression that some are afraid or hesitant to involve the private sector because they [private business people] may discover irregularities or corruption in their books.

We are expected to show transparency in the way we do things."

He urged the participants to test themselves continuously.

"In your daily, monthly and yearly programmes, ask yourself 'what have I done today?' Is it part of our drive to realise Vision 2030? We must all start where we are and can't wait for others to take the lead.

If we work in an integrated manner, liaise to minimise duplication and maximise service delivery, we can make a difference."

Swakopmund Mayor Rosina /Hoabes, also the president of the Association of Local Authorities in Namibia (Alan), reiterated that communities should be kept in the loop on the running of their towns and be included in decision-making.

She said investments could only be expected in towns that prove to be worthy of investment.

She blamed ceaseless political infighting in councils for the disintegration of public services and proper municipal functioning.

"Party politics have caused the breakdown of local authorities in various parts of Namibia while we should be more concerned with citizens' standards of living.

Decisions made without consultation [with Government and residents], have a high failure rate," said Hoabes.

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