Cabinet shifts focus

CABINET has decided to shift its attention more to the country’s economic sector in order to achieve accelerated growth, job creation and higher revenue earnings for the State.

At the first annual Cabinet review under the leadership of President Hifikepunye Pohamba, Ministers and their deputies agreed on the necessity to find a balance between economic priorities and social needs like education, health, housing and sanitation – which had enjoyed priority attention during the past 16 years. Information and Broadcasting Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndai­twah briefed the media yesterday on the outcome of the two-day meeting, which had Cabinet members locked in long sessions until late on Monday and Tuesday night and even prompted the postponement of a National Assembly session from Tuesday to yesterday.The Minister said an “urgent need” was identified to adopt strategies so that the economy could be expanded to “take the country forward on its development path.””This issue cannot be addressed by Government alone,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said, “together as a nation we will have to agree how to grow and expand the economy.”The 42 Ministers and deputies gave 47 presentations of their respective ministerial programmes on politics and governance, finance and the economy, social issues, defence and security Lack of co-ordination and consultation among ministries was identified as a serious constraint, as was a lack of cooperation between implementing ministries, key stakeholders and beneficiaries.Skills shortages in the Public Service were also seen as a constraint, which will be addressed when the Institute of Public Service Administration and Management is established.”We also discussed to draw up a strategic framework for attracting and retaining skilled and trained public servants,” the Minister announced.Cabinet deliberated on amendments to the Public Service Act, a development programme for the San communities, the envisaged Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policies, the possible expansion of NBC studios in the country and trade promotion.President Pohamba on Monday said that improved planning mechanisms were required “so that the right hand knows what the left one is doing.”Without monitoring and evaluation of policies it would be difficult “if not impossible to know whether we are moving forwards, backwards or are simply stagnating.We have no other choice,” Pohamba said at the opening on Monday.The Namibian has reliably learnt that the discussions were often intense and sometimes heated, with some Ministers having to defend themselves and the implementation of their programmes.Political observers see the Cabinet review, held 20 months after Pohamba took over from former President Nujoma, as a prelude to a possible Cabinet reshuffle early next year.However, Information Minister Nandi-Ndaitwah said she was unaware of any such plans.”I have no clue on that (reshuffle),” she said yesterday.Information and Broadcasting Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndai­twah briefed the media yesterday on the outcome of the two-day meeting, which had Cabinet members locked in long sessions until late on Monday and Tuesday night and even prompted the postponement of a National Assembly session from Tuesday to yesterday.The Minister said an “urgent need” was identified to adopt strategies so that the economy could be expanded to “take the country forward on its development path.””This issue cannot be addressed by Government alone,” Nandi-Ndaitwah said, “together as a nation we will have to agree how to grow and expand the economy.”The 42 Ministers and deputies gave 47 presentations of their respective ministerial programmes on politics and governance, finance and the economy, social issues, defence and security Lack of co-ordination and consultation among ministries was identified as a serious constraint, as was a lack of cooperation between implementing ministries, key stakeholders and beneficiaries.Skills shortages in the Public Service were also seen as a constraint, which will be addressed when the Institute of Public Service Administration and Management is established.”We also discussed to draw up a strategic framework for attracting and retaining skilled and trained public servants,” the Minister announced.Cabinet deliberated on amendments to the Public Service Act, a development programme for the San communities, the envisaged Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) policies, the possible expansion of NBC studios in the country and trade promotion.President Pohamba on Monday said that improved planning mechanisms were required “so that the right hand knows what the left one is doing.”Without monitoring and evaluation of policies it would be difficult “if not impossible to know whether we are moving forwards, backwards or are simply stagnating.We have no other choice,” Pohamba said at the opening on Monday.The Namibian has reliably learnt that the discussions were often intense and sometimes heated, with some Ministers having to defend themselves and the implementation of their programmes.Political observers see the Cabinet review, held 20 months after Pohamba took over from former President Nujoma, as a prelude to a possible Cabinet reshuffle early next year.However, Information Minister Nandi-Ndaitwah said she was unaware of any such plans.”I have no clue on that (reshuffle),” she said yesterday.

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