New defence PS wants change
The defence ministry's responsibility is to advance the public interest and the common good, Rear-Admiral Peter Hafeni Vilho has told the country's top brass.
The newly appointed permanent secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Rear-Admiral Peter Hafeni Vilho, wants an overhaul of the ministry's mandate.
Vilho had served as the navy commander until his recent appointment as permanent secretary.
In his maiden speech yesterday, Vilho said there was a feeling among members that the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) was in a state of decline or stagnation.
“We should bear in mind that our responsibility is to create public value. Creating public value means producing institutions, enterprises, policies, programmes, projects, services that advance the public interest and the common good,” he said.
Vilho said like the rest of the force, he too had hopes and dreams of a better defence force and hoped he could find like-minded people who could join hands to improve the NDF.
“At the United Nations General Assembly, President Hage Geingob said the Tanganyika group will leave very soon. I believe the same applies to the Oshaatotwa group,” Vilho further said.
He also pointed out that the current generation of military leaders found themselves in a transitional period.
“We are transitional leaders. We are the bridge that links the Plan veterans to those that were enlisted after independence. What we do in our last days in the service will determine whether we leave behind a professional force, where regulations are enforced, or an armed militia where everyone does as he or she pleases,” Vilho added.
He said Force Design and Force Structure should be synchronised.
“This will inform us on what to do to close the gap between the two. The effort to close that gap will inform our long-term strategies, our five-year strategies, annual plans and programmes.
It will also be a useful and practical lesson to posterity on how systemically to determine one's force design,” he said of the need for a synchronised force.
JEMIMA BEUKES
Vilho had served as the navy commander until his recent appointment as permanent secretary.
In his maiden speech yesterday, Vilho said there was a feeling among members that the Namibian Defence Force (NDF) was in a state of decline or stagnation.
“We should bear in mind that our responsibility is to create public value. Creating public value means producing institutions, enterprises, policies, programmes, projects, services that advance the public interest and the common good,” he said.
Vilho said like the rest of the force, he too had hopes and dreams of a better defence force and hoped he could find like-minded people who could join hands to improve the NDF.
“At the United Nations General Assembly, President Hage Geingob said the Tanganyika group will leave very soon. I believe the same applies to the Oshaatotwa group,” Vilho further said.
He also pointed out that the current generation of military leaders found themselves in a transitional period.
“We are transitional leaders. We are the bridge that links the Plan veterans to those that were enlisted after independence. What we do in our last days in the service will determine whether we leave behind a professional force, where regulations are enforced, or an armed militia where everyone does as he or she pleases,” Vilho added.
He said Force Design and Force Structure should be synchronised.
“This will inform us on what to do to close the gap between the two. The effort to close that gap will inform our long-term strategies, our five-year strategies, annual plans and programmes.
It will also be a useful and practical lesson to posterity on how systemically to determine one's force design,” he said of the need for a synchronised force.
JEMIMA BEUKES
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