Pohamba unhappy with inefficiency

PRESIDENT Hifikepunye Pohamba yesterday criticised low efficiency levels, slow policy implementation, a lack of follow-up action, duplication of duties and lack of co-ordination in the civil service.

Opening the first Cabinet meeting of 2006 in Windhoek, Pohamba said the output in terms of policy formulation was substantial but that implementation had fallen short of expectations. “Thus there is a need for Cabinet to receive regular feedback from relevant institutions regarding the implementation of policy decisions that we have taken,” he said.Pohamba said he had instructed Cabinet Secretary Frans Kapofi to receive regular feedback from ministries on policy implementation and to compile reports for submission to Cabinet.In a wide-ranging ‘call to action’, the President said there was a need for economic growth through the creation of more jobs, innovative solutions to address HIV-AIDS effectively, improve the education system, expand health services, fight crime and corruption in both Government and the private sector and self-sufficiency in food production.Pohamba said a begging nation could not call itself independent and expressed the hope that the “Green Scheme will take off with full steam” this year.”Our scarce public resources should be directed, first and foremost, to priority areas we have identified.In this respect, we must continue to build on our ongoing efforts by drastically improving fiscal discipline at all levels within Government offices, ministries and agencies,” he said.The President said fiscal discipline would be the benchmark against which Namibia would measure, monitor and evaluate its service delivery.Pohamba said he was pleased with the streamlining of the Cabinet’s administration and the decision to hold sessions every fortnight instead of on a weekly basis.He said, coupled with the re­organisation of Cabinet committees, the streamlining would lead to greater efficiencies of Cabinet business.”I trust that this new realignment will avail the members of Cabinet sufficient time to make necessary follow-ups and analyses of policy matters, especially those which fall directly under their respective jurisdictions,” he said.As the end of the financial year draws closer, Pohamba called on Cabinet members to “shift into a collective higher gear” and position themselves for new challenges.The year 2006, he said, was for hard work, commitment and the full implementation of policies.”Thus there is a need for Cabinet to receive regular feedback from relevant institutions regarding the implementation of policy decisions that we have taken,” he said.Pohamba said he had instructed Cabinet Secretary Frans Kapofi to receive regular feedback from ministries on policy implementation and to compile reports for submission to Cabinet. In a wide-ranging ‘call to action’, the President said there was a need for economic growth through the creation of more jobs, innovative solutions to address HIV-AIDS effectively, improve the education system, expand health services, fight crime and corruption in both Government and the private sector and self-sufficiency in food production.Pohamba said a begging nation could not call itself independent and expressed the hope that the “Green Scheme will take off with full steam” this year.”Our scarce public resources should be directed, first and foremost, to priority areas we have identified.In this respect, we must continue to build on our ongoing efforts by drastically improving fiscal discipline at all levels within Government offices, ministries and agencies,” he said.The President said fiscal discipline would be the benchmark against which Namibia would measure, monitor and evaluate its service delivery.Pohamba said he was pleased with the streamlining of the Cabinet’s administration and the decision to hold sessions every fortnight instead of on a weekly basis.He said, coupled with the re­organisation of Cabinet committees, the streamlining would lead to greater efficiencies of Cabinet business.”I trust that this new realignment will avail the members of Cabinet sufficient time to make necessary follow-ups and analyses of policy matters, especially those which fall directly under their respective jurisdictions,” he said.As the end of the financial year draws closer, Pohamba called on Cabinet members to “shift into a collective higher gear” and position themselves for new challenges.The year 2006, he said, was for hard work, commitment and the full implementation of policies.