Africa-Press – Botswana. Senior managers at the Ministry of Defence and Security have been urged to unite in the fight against social ills.
Officially opening a three-day strategic retreat for the ministry’s senior management at Phakalane Golf Estate on Tuesday, Minister Kagiso Mmusi appealed to the leadership to devise mechanisms to deal with societal challenges such as criminal acts and the use of illegal drugs.
He cited crime and drug abuse as well as their sale as the leading challenges that needed to be tackled.
“We have friends, family members and some members of the public who are either involved in the escalating criminal acts and using or dealing in drugs,” he said, adding that society was equally engulfed by Gender Based Violence.
Mr Mmusi said indiscipline at work was also a major challenge and urged the ministry’s senior management to seriously and honestly deal with such and do the country justice.
He reminded them that the nation’s peace, safety and security were their mandate, adding that working together would not only improve their service delivery, but would ultimately assure members of the public of their safety and security.
Mr Mmusi urged the managers not to be an impediment to service delivery, but be agents of positive change.
“Our people do not sleep, they do not feel safe in their homes.
Their movements are restricted and they will be comfortable to work during late hours and walk home freely.
Government facilities must be well protected,” he stressed.
Mr Mmusi said his ministry had been ‘given the tools, therefore must stand up and fight crime among other challenges.
He advised his ministry’s leadership to utilise the allocated funds accordingly in executing the ministry’s plans.
“Let us work together and do something positive for the country.
We must work as a team to serve the people.
Therefore our personal endeavours must not interfere with public service,” said Mr Mmusi, adding that personal vendettas hindering service delivery had no place in the ministry.
The minister reminded the senior government officials that they were at the forefront of the development plan and therefore must ensure that planned projects were executed.
Mr Mmusi said one of the priority projects was providing members of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) with adequate and conducive accommodation.
He also indicated that 28 police stations were planned for construction in the coming financial year, adding that the projects package included staff housing, furniture and vehicles.
He said drug enforcement was yet another priority area that his ministry was to focus on, adding, ‘we need funding and dedicated personnel and support of all our disciplined forces to fight drug use’.
In her welcome remarks, permanent secretary in the ministry, Ms Botlhale Makgekgenene appealed to the senior managers to align their strategies with the national priorities, especially the Reset Agenda and the Transitional National Development Plan.
Ms Makgekgenene advised them to focus on the desired outcomes for the people, organisations and socio-economic benefits.
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