14 Sep 2014

Speakers have described former Permanent in the Ministry of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Mr Boikobo Paya as a true leader, visionary and someone committed to execute his duties.

Speaking at his farewell party, the Minister, Mr Kitso Mokaila said he had worked with Mr Paya for the past two years and has learnt that he was highly motivated permanent secretary who was willing to do his job promptly and neatly

Mr Mokaila said Mr Paya’s commitment came to light when his ministry was faced with serious problems of darkness and thirst, but he stood up and made sure that he did all he could do to make sure that he availed water to Kanye residents when the village was in serious water shortage

He said he had built a culture of meeting with the senior management every morning where Mr Paya will be answering for each and every department within the ministry and he suggested to him that it is important that every manager answer for his or her department so that everyone could be responsible of his or her section.

The Minister wished him well and the best of luck in his new endeavors and encouraged him to represent them well at his new job saying he was against Paya’s move and requested him to wait for October but he had to let him go because he will be also going to serving this nation.

Mr Paya has joined the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) as head of research

For his part Mr Paya thanked the ministry for having developed him to the level of permanent secretary and thanked them for the presents they gave him

He joined the public service in 1987 as assistant geologist till 2003 when he was promoted to the position of performance coordinator until 2005 when he was appointed the Director of Water Affairs and in 2007 he was appointed project manager for Mmamabula coordinating unit before appointed to the position of deputy permanent secretary until 2010 when he was elevated to permanent secretary position.

He was born in 1964 in Bobonong and holds a Masters of Philosophy in Geology and has served on various boards associations such as Botswana Geoscience Association, Performance Improvement Coordinator Forum, Water Utilities Corporation Board, Water Apportionment Board and Botswana Power Corporation and he also served as a commissioner for Limpopo Commission. ENDS