Red tape hampers development, Hardap governor says

Hardap governor Salomon April has emphasised the bureaucratic hurdles that hinder effective governance and development initiatives.

Highlighting the impact of bureaucratic red tape on the region's ability to enact its vision and plans in a recent interview with Namibia Media Holdings, April said:

"The organisational inertia of the government, if you will, is what makes things very difficult."

He added: "It seems like I may dream my dreams here as a region, and we may plan here as a region, but if somebody at a national level who is supposed to check and also approve or disapprove is not buying into what I see as most imperative for the region, it really becomes a struggle."

Testing times

Despite these challenges, however, he also expressed optimism about the achievements made since taking office.

The governor also highlighted the unforeseen challenges that have tested the resilience of the region, including the Covid-19 pandemic and consecutive years of severe drought. These crises, though not specific to the Hardap Region, have caused a substantial setback in the region's progress.

"We have experienced more or less a two-year backlog in terms of what we wanted to achieve as a region when I took office," April said.

"The pinches and the longevity of the drought are still being felt today."

Achieving balance

Despite these setbacks, April underscored the region's commitment to addressing pressing issues including job creation, unemployment, housing, health and food security. He also emphasised the importance of community participation and collaboration in achieving these goals.

"My confidence now is the fact that communities have realised that they have a part to play," he remarked. "That participation and collaboration from communities also make us feel good as the leadership."

While acknowledging that the region has not yet reached its ultimate goals, April believes they are on a positive trajectory towards improving the quality of life for residents and effecting meaningful change.

“I can confidently say that we have not arrived yet, but we are on a good course in terms of delivering what we believe is important for people to receive to live a balanced life and change the conditions of life.”