Common-sense must prevail, Ngurare tells EDs

Prime minister Elijah Ngurare has called on executive directors (EDs) of various government ministries to think outside the box and prioritise implementation of government projects.

Addressing officials in Windhoek on Wednesday, Ngurare said while theories are important, EDs must be deliberate, proactive and practical in all carrying out their duties.

“Unnecessary bureaucracy must fall and common sense must prevail. Namibians do not need favours nor do they ask for any from public servants, they only demand access to just, quality and equitable service delivery,” Ngurare said.

Ngurare warned the officials against the practice of reserving opportunities to people they know.

“I have heard of reports that it is who you know in order to get employed; that payments must be given before a certain position is filled; that interviews are a mere formality because the well-connected was already chosen in some dark corners somewhere; that a tender is already awarded before formal sitting of a procurement committee meeting; et cetera. Dear executive directors and accounting officers, I want to make a special appeal to you, let us collectively and individually demonstrate seriousness to dispel and dismantle any of this menace in our society,” he said.

Ngurare said every Namibian in all 121 constituencies and 14 regions must see themselves in ministries, offices and agencies of government.

“Competence, hard work and selfless service must be rewarded. corruption, nepotism, favouritism and all other retrogressive tendencies. This means that I should not only be working with people from my village, my tribe, my clan, my race, but I must be surrounded by a kaleidoscope of all Namibians,” Ngurare said.

Ngurare reminded the officials that they have the functions to provide advice on policy formulation and the implementation, and to brief the president, the prime minister or the minister concerned on all major issues affecting the functioning of their offices, ministries or agencies.

PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
Meanwhile, since the public enterprises department has been removed, Ngurare said all EDs should reintegrate the public enterprises under their respective Ministries effectively.

“I must also make this point that public enterprises must be expected to ensure service delivery without fail and equally adhere to the values of ‘One Namibia One Nation’ in job creation. Their paying structures must be reasonable and to the extent possible should not be distorted beyond their line ministries,” he said.

He called for amendments to be made to the current Public Procurement Act 2015

He said the act was not enacted to be a hindrance or nuisance of bureaucracy or excuses for delays in service delivery.

“It was to make the lives of our people better. It was to make the government of the people a conduit of their hopes and aspirations. Therefore, from here on forward and as her excellency has directed, if the Public Procurement Act 2015 contains provisions that are unhelpful, we must urgently amend it. And if corruption is endemic in the procurement system we will equally come hard and close such loopholes, which erode the confidence of the people in their government,” Ngurare said.