Namibian, French regional governments co-operate

BRINGING Government services closer to the people, or decentralisation, is about making people become part and parcel of improving their living conditions and well-being, Local Government and Housing Minister Jerry Ekandjo said in Windhoek yesterday.

But, said Ekandjo, this can only be achieved if communities participate in the planning for development, decision-making and the running of Government affairs that affect their daily lives. He made these remarks when he officially opened a two-day seminar on initiating decentralised co-operation partnerships between Namibian and French regional councils.”Decentralisation is also about making locally elected leaders responsive and accountable for the services to be delivered and the resources used to implement these activities,” said Ekandjo.He said the Namibian Government believed in the popular participation of all citizens to ensure that public services and projects are implemented in response to locally defined needs.The seminar is a follow-up to a number of events which contributed to building a strong relationship between the French Association of Regional Councils (ARF) and Namibia’s Association of Regional Councils (ARC).President of ARC and the Governor of Omaheke, Laura McLeod, said the seminar’s objective is to share information on regional decentralisation reforms in Namibia and France and to build relationship between elected councillors in the two countries.The seminar, which is being attended by regional councillors, chief regional officers and representatives from ARF, ends today.He made these remarks when he officially opened a two-day seminar on initiating decentralised co-operation partnerships between Namibian and French regional councils.”Decentralisation is also about making locally elected leaders responsive and accountable for the services to be delivered and the resources used to implement these activities,” said Ekandjo.He said the Namibian Government believed in the popular participation of all citizens to ensure that public services and projects are implemented in response to locally defined needs.The seminar is a follow-up to a number of events which contributed to building a strong relationship between the French Association of Regional Councils (ARF) and Namibia’s Association of Regional Councils (ARC).President of ARC and the Governor of Omaheke, Laura McLeod, said the seminar’s objective is to share information on regional decentralisation reforms in Namibia and France and to build relationship between elected councillors in the two countries.The seminar, which is being attended by regional councillors, chief regional officers and representatives from ARF, ends today.