Non-performers will be ushered out – Geingob
The head of state says he will not lose sleep over firing ineffective ministers.
JEMIMA BEUKES
WINDHOEK
President Hage Geingob has read the riot act to newly appointed members of Cabinet who took their oath at state house yesterday, saying non-performers will this time around be removed from public office.
Geingob, who is kicking off his second and last term as president, said the problems Namibia face are enormous and he expects his Cabinet to roll up their sleeves and deliver. It will not business as usual. If you are continuing as a minister, regard yourself as a beginner. If you are not effective and I fire you, do not cry, it will be based on your performance,” Geingob stressed.
The president lamented the lack of implementation culture in Namibia, with good, well-written and efficient policies often gathering dust.
“There is no hurry, apparently, in some of us. Some people lock themselves up, they do not answer telephone calls from public, they do not talk to their staff members nor to their deputies to create a team spirit.
“No weekly management meetings. How do you coordinate activities and encourage and inspire your own staff?” he asked.
Work together
The president also advised ministers to work with each other and to exploit free resources such as mobile phones to consult one another on issues facing government and its people.
“Some ministers write letters to their colleagues. Call each other and talk and solve the problem that way. These [parliamentary] standing committees must sit and seriously discuss the issues that are there and solve it and then come to Cabinet. You must deliver,” he said.
Geingob added that his government has been punished for the pace at which scholarships, housing and poverty eradication solution are delivered.
“I said to the people I heard, and I hope you heard me saying that. Therefore, you also heard me.”
[email protected]
WINDHOEK
President Hage Geingob has read the riot act to newly appointed members of Cabinet who took their oath at state house yesterday, saying non-performers will this time around be removed from public office.
Geingob, who is kicking off his second and last term as president, said the problems Namibia face are enormous and he expects his Cabinet to roll up their sleeves and deliver. It will not business as usual. If you are continuing as a minister, regard yourself as a beginner. If you are not effective and I fire you, do not cry, it will be based on your performance,” Geingob stressed.
The president lamented the lack of implementation culture in Namibia, with good, well-written and efficient policies often gathering dust.
“There is no hurry, apparently, in some of us. Some people lock themselves up, they do not answer telephone calls from public, they do not talk to their staff members nor to their deputies to create a team spirit.
“No weekly management meetings. How do you coordinate activities and encourage and inspire your own staff?” he asked.
Work together
The president also advised ministers to work with each other and to exploit free resources such as mobile phones to consult one another on issues facing government and its people.
“Some ministers write letters to their colleagues. Call each other and talk and solve the problem that way. These [parliamentary] standing committees must sit and seriously discuss the issues that are there and solve it and then come to Cabinet. You must deliver,” he said.
Geingob added that his government has been punished for the pace at which scholarships, housing and poverty eradication solution are delivered.
“I said to the people I heard, and I hope you heard me saying that. Therefore, you also heard me.”
[email protected]
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