20 Mar 2017

Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Eric Molale has implored officers under this ministry to support the President’s role in the public service and actively enhance the lives of the people they were serving.

Setting the tone at a two-day Office of the President ministerial retreat which started on March 18 at Avani Hotel in Gaborone, Mr Molale said officers should  understand the role of the ministry so that they could efficiently and effectively deliver on their mandate, which among others was coordination, directing, monitoring and good governance.

Mr Molale noted that since the Office of the President was made up of three ministries being Office of the President, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation as well as Ministry of Defence, Justice and Security, it was incumbent that officers deliver as expected because failure to do so might disturb peace and envisaged prosperity which was one of the country’s ideals contained in the national vision.

He said the OP was charged with the duty of ensuring peace and prosperity for Batswana as the highest ministry in the land. He said officers in this office should operate accordingly to ensure that the peace and serenity that prevails in the land was sustained.

Mr Molale wondered why at times suppliers were paid late, adding that “this act on itself can disturb peace as there is bound to be arguments.”

On a related matter, he urged district commissioners to rise up to the occasion and show that they were in charge without necessarily being biased to junior officers, but that they should effectively coordinate and monitor government projects at district level.

Mr Molale noted that it would be a sign of weakness on their part if they failed to see to it that projects and district issues were attended to effectively.

On the other hand, he urged officers to manage their resources which include funds and vehicles, adding that it was regrettable to learn that district officers were always complaining that they do not have adequate vehicles though their fleet management on the other hand leaves much to be desired.   

In his welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary to the President (PSP), Mr Carter Morupisi said the retreat was meant to develop a common sense of purpose and identify coordinating roles on issues of delivery systems.

He said since the ministry was at the apex of public governance, it plays an important role of coordination, directing and monitoring to ensure proper governance, and that it should be seen as such by other ministries.

Mr Morupisi said that was why this ministry has many sight ministries which help it to achieve its mandate as a whole.

The retreat, which is envisaged to set the agenda for the next financial year, was held under the theme: "Reforming government and strengthening governance for improved service delivery."

During comments, officers said they were doing their best and needed to be praised for their efforts .

They said public officers need a morale boost so that they could have an effective team spirit, which was one of the ingredients needed to achieve public service efficiency. ENDS