Maritz replaces Nandago as home affairs executive director

THE new executive director in the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration, Etienne Maritz, was officially introduced to the ministerial staff on Wednesday.

Maritz was recently appointed by Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila as executive director in the ministry, replacing ambassador Patrick Nandago, who now serves as Namibia’s emissary in Angola.

During his introduction, home affairs minister Frans Kapofi said the ministry under his supervision, is lucky to have a person like Maritz to serve as an executive director as he is well versed in administrative matters.

Maritz served the Namibian government in various capacities, having been deputy permanent secretary in the department of public service management in the Office of the Prime Minister for several years, with his last assignment being an executive director in the president’s private office, an assignment which, according to Kapofi, made him interact on a daily basis with president Hage Geingob.

“We welcome you and count on you as we continuously strive to take the ministry to greater heights,” Kapofi said.

During his one month’s stay at the ministry, Maritz said he observed a lot of issues in need of urgent attention.

“There is a lot that needs to be done with regard to the internal service system in our ministry,” the executive director said, explaining that the ministerial system needs to be fed with the updated information available.

The issue of security to national documents and maintenance at some of the offices such as Walvis Bay and Usakos are serious concerns that require the ministry’s investment.

“Our office in Usakos is at an outside building in the hospital premises. The lock is broken and there is no safety to the national documents kept in this office,” Maritz mentioned.

Another issue in need of urgent attention, according to the recently appointed executive director, is the turn-around strategy, which according to him, needs to be re-looked at as it shows little progress when juxtaposed to the purpose of its establishment.

He further promised that the final strategic plan of the ministry will be launched before the end of the current financial year.

-Nampa

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