Africa-Press – Namibia. Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has called for urgent reforms in Namibia’s public service, warning that inefficiency, delays and bureaucratic bottlenecks will no longer be tolerated.
Speaking at the launch of the Office of the Prime Minister’s (OPM) five-year strategic plan in Windhoek last week, Ngurare said too many government systems are plagued by red tape, leaving citizens frustrated and projects incomplete.
“There are some public servants who are served well by using such bureaucracies as excuses to deliver sub-standard services. This is unacceptable,” he declared. “Purchase orders must not take months to issue. Invoices must not take months to be paid. We cannot remain indifferent to the urgent need for reform.”
Ngurare stressed that accountability and professionalism must underpin service delivery.
“It is not going to be business as usual. There will be consequences for non-delivery of services and for not meeting the KPIs set out in this plan. This is the beginning of a different governance culture but the one that listens, learns and leads with integrity.”
Ngurare said Namibia must aim high to meet the needs of its citizens. “We must aim high because the people of Namibia do not deserve second-class service delivery, and our population is barely three million people,” he noted.
The strategic plan sets out six priorities, including enhancing organisational performance, strengthening governance, accelerating digital transformation, improving disaster risk reduction, and institutionalising innovation.
Executive Director in the OPM, Gladice Pickering, said while the institution has achieved 74% of its targets in the previous plan, serious challenges remain.
“Non-adherence to set standards by Offices, Ministries and Agencies, prolonged decision-making, delays in the e-Government Procurement System, and a shortage of specialised skills continue to hamper efficiency,” she explained.
Despite these obstacles, she insisted the new strategy provides a solid foundation for reform.
“The roadmap ahead is clear. Let this strategic plan be our compass. What is required now is unity of purpose, disciplined implementation, and a results-oriented approach,” she stated.
In the quest for digital transformation and cybersecurity, Pickering emphasised that the OPM will enhance its human, financial and technical capacity to drive digitalisation of government services.
“Through the cybersecurity strategy for the public service, OPM will continue to provide technical support in the form of guidelines, training, and awareness creation, while strengthening security protocols to address emerging threats,” she revealed.
She further noted that efforts are already underway to strengthen the paperless Cabinet system (e-Cabinet).
With regards to disaster management, the plan commits to shifting from reactive disaster management to proactive risk reduction, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030). Key initiatives include establishing and operationalising a National Emergency Operations Centre (NEOC).
Pickering admitted Namibia’s systems remain fragmented and infrastructure limited, leaving the country vulnerable to droughts, floods and wildfires.
“As a country, we are confronted by several natural hazards. These hazards, combined with high levels of poverty, increase our vulnerability. We must be ahead of these hazards,” she stressed.
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