PM demands action this year

IT IS time to ‘name and shame’ the culprits who restrict the Namibian Government from moving forward.

This was one of the central messages from Prime Minister Nahas Angula to staff at the official opening of the office this week.The Prime Minister said that when it comes to governance in Namibia, and the officials who are responsible for the implementation and momentum of getting strategies and plans off the ground, his office has been ‘a bit lenient’. This year though, ‘we will name and shame’ he said, as it is essential ‘to keep the government moving’.Angula said one of the prime objectives of this year should include a focus on empowering public officials by using essential tools such as information and communication technology (ICT).In this area too, Angula said his office will ‘name and shame ministries who don’t allow staff to upgrade their ICT skills’.Another point the Prime Minister emphasised was corruption. He instructed his staff to be diligent and said: ‘When you see it, report it!’.His basic message to staff was one of optimism.’This is the year of hope and progress,’ he said, and demanded that as a whole, 2011 is the year in which ‘we must move forward’.He noted that at the end of 2010, the strategic plan 2009 to 2013 was reviewed. All facets of the plan are in place, he said. ‘Now we have a roadmap. We have the benchmarks. We have the performance standards. Let’s go,’ he encouraged staff.One of the critical tasks of the Office of the Prime Minister is monitoring the implementation of Cabinet decisions by offices, ministries and agencies of government, Angula reminded staff.He concluded by saying that the OPM ‘should take the lead in being efficient and effective in service delivery. We can only do so if we work as a team’.