Urban and Rural Development Deputy Minister, Nathalia /Goagoses, has said sub-nationals are vital spheres of government as they are in proximity to the people.
/Goagoses made the remarks at an induction workshop for regional and local authority councillors and administrators in Otjiwarongo on Monday.
She said sub-national level is where the real action of governance, people’s participation and basic service delivery takes place while structures at sub-national have a key role to play in nation-building and social cohesion of the community.
“We at the ministry also share the quest to make regional government, local government and traditional authorities people centred and more responsive to the developmental and knowledge-based challenges of the day,” she added.
/Goagoses, therefore, called on governors, councillors and administrators to not forget that in as much they might come from different political or social backgrounds, they should all be mindful that the institutions they are attached to belong to the public, adding that there are some councils that do not use public resources prudently.
“Our communities expect us to deliver services with the public resources they entrusted in our care which include infrastructure, funds, equipment and the staff complement. It is thus expected of us to deliver services and ensure that the needs of everyone in the community are catered for without discrimination on the basis of political affiliation, tribe, religion or social background,” she stressed.
The deputy minister said over the years, it has also become a tendency of some councillors to use council and management committee meeting platforms for their personal agendas or to settle scores with administrative staff or among themselves, while maladministration has been the order of the day in some councils.
“Such conduct should not be tolerated in your regions, constituencies and towns. I therefore urge you to have trust in your chief regional officers and chief executive officers and their management and if you the councillors doubt the advice given, please refer the matter to the ministry. The administrators are professionals hired to implement the lawful resolutions of the council within the legal and monetary framework for benefit of the communities,” said the deputy minister.
/Goagoses further urged regional and local authority councils to pay special attention to land delivery, housing provisions, good governance, urban and rural development, budget management, rural sanitation and prudent financial management.
The annual induction ends Friday.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
