What About The Public Sector?

I AM always fascinated by our economists when giving their views on Namibia’s economic performances.

Moreover, much attention is being given on the macro-economic analysis, but less on the micro, with particular reference to the public sector’s contributions. Ironically, Namibia has no independent monetary policy, which negatively affects consumer behaviour.Our currency is pegged to the Rand.And any macro-economic policy change in South Africa affects Namibia as well.Furthermore, though, Namibia has competition policy; it is not enforceable against predatory pricing.The public sectors’ reform is imperative to the micro-economic performances, because, through procurement of goods and services, the government contributes approximately 10 to 20 per cent towards our economy.Furthermore, it is important as large numbers of graduates are looming on the street.The danger is that when people become more educated they become more conscience of their rights, and may start to demand direct participation in decision-makings affecting their livelihoods.If not, then confidences in governmental institutions as to either in parliament or trade unions and parties start to slide.For example the recent poorly attended Workers’ Day.The public sector’s performances are not measured by results.Services are delivered merely to comply with standards while resources are being wasted.Worse, there no economists in various Ministries, with the exception in the National Planning Commission and the Ministry of Finance, let alone the Development Planners.Moreover, many of the bureaucrats who have influential positions attribute this negativity, because, they are not competent and qualified, but remain rigid with no vision and mission to transform the sector.The policy is prejudicing competent and qualified people, and does not fit in the system of governance Namibia is trying to introduce.Governance is about policies and institutions responding to and meeting people’s need efficiently, effectively and equitably.Indeed, the government has been vocal encouraging officials to improve their qualifications, but to no avail.Instead, a lot of them continue to devote much of their working time to secondary employment.Secondary employment is the order of the day in the public sector, and is breeding corruption.Public properties are diverted into personal use and abuse.Moreover, the world is not rigid; with globalisation and many unemployed graduates on the street; the external pressure is huge to improve Namibia’s competitiveness.Are these the type of values we want in the public sector? To begin with, introduce the Management Advisory Committee (MAC) to measure and discuss public sector performances, and possible reform.Wake up Namibians; let’s not take the public sector for granted.Herman Hamutenya Via e-mailIronically, Namibia has no independent monetary policy, which negatively affects consumer behaviour.Our currency is pegged to the Rand.And any macro-economic policy change in South Africa affects Namibia as well.Furthermore, though, Namibia has competition policy; it is not enforceable against predatory pricing.The public sectors’ reform is imperative to the micro-economic performances, because, through procurement of goods and services, the government contributes approximately 10 to 20 per cent towards our economy.Furthermore, it is important as large numbers of graduates are looming on the street.The danger is that when people become more educated they become more conscience of their rights, and may start to demand direct participation in decision-makings affecting their livelihoods.If not, then confidences in governmental institutions as to either in parliament or trade unions and parties start to slide.For example the recent poorly attended Workers’ Day. The public sector’s performances are not measured by results.Services are delivered merely to comply with standards while resources are being wasted.Worse, there no economists in various Ministries, with the exception in the National Planning Commission and the Ministry of Finance, let alone the Development Planners.Moreover, many of the bureaucrats who have influential positions attribute this negativity, because, they are not competent and qualified, but remain rigid with no vision and mission to transform the sector.The policy is prejudicing competent and qualified people, and does not fit in the system of governance Namibia is trying to introduce.Governance is about policies and institutions responding to and meeting people’s need efficiently, effectively and equitably.Indeed, the government has been vocal encouraging officials to improve their qualifications, but to no avail.Instead, a lot of them continue to devote much of their working time to secondary employment.Secondary employment is the order of the day in the public sector, and is breeding corruption.Public properties are diverted into personal use and abuse.Moreover, the world is not rigid; with globalisation and many unemployed graduates on the street; the external pressure is huge to improve Namibia’s competitiveness. Are these the type of values we want in the public sector? To begin with, introduce the Management Advisory Committee (MAC) to measure and discuss public sector performances, and possible reform.Wake up Namibians; let’s not take the public sector for granted.Herman Hamutenya Via e-mail