Govt tightens screws at local level

Local authorities must demonstrate measurable improvements in service delivery and living conditions, rather than simply ticking boxes and reporting on activities, executive director and acting accounting officer in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM), Petrus Sindimba, said on Monday.“For too long performance in some local authorities has been assessed based on activities undertaken rather than the actual results achieved,” Sindimba said at the opening of a five-day performance management system workshop in Windhoek.“While various activities may be taking place, our communities continue to face challenges relating to serviced land, potable water, adequate housing, electricity and clean environments,” he added.“This situation must change, and the change must begin now.”Sindimba said the prime minister's office aims to strengthen accountability and service delivery among local authorities through the introduction of a performance management system (PMS).He outlined three fundamental shifts expected from the implementation of the system: moving from activities to results, from excuses to accountability, and from secrecy to transparency.Under the system, every chief executive officer and relevant manager will be required to enter into performance agreements linked to institutional objectives and service delivery.These agreements should include measurable targets relating to land delivery, revenue collection, debt reduction, housing delivery, addressing audit findings and achieving clean audits.For now, the initiative aims to strengthen performance management in five local authorities: Ruacana, Bethanie, Okongo, Gibeon and Aroab.Deliver tangible resultsThe workshop, running from 2 to 6 November, is jointly organised by the Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management (Nipam) and OPM.Sindimba said performance management is a government priority under President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah's administration.He stressed that public resources allocated for infrastructure development must translate into visible improvements in communities, with leaders expected to account for both the funds entrusted to them and the results achieved.“The emphasis should not simply be on what has been done, but on what has been achieved and how those achievements have improved the lives of our communities. Ultimately, performance must be assessed against agreed targets and tangible results,” Sindimba said.The OPM also wants local authorities to make their performance targets accessible to the public and provide regular progress updates through community meetings and other communication platforms.Quarterly performance reviews must be conducted, documented and submitted through the appropriate reporting channels.

Govt tightens screws at local level

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-04

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Govt tightens screws at local level

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Namibian Sun 2026-11-04

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