14 Jun 2017

Work Improvement Teams (WITS) that presented their projects at this year’s public service convention seemed to have taken a peak at the minister’s speech even before he had the chance to deliver it, as they impressed attendees.

Four teams from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Transport and Communications came with impressive projects that they had undertaken, and showed that they were thinking outside the box in their quest to improve the public service.

Department of Road Transport and Safety (DRTS), Francistown, dubbed Team Diphetogo, spoke on their project of looking to standardise the processes and procedures of DRTS countrywide.

They said the project came  after their office received 87 complaints from customers, citing that it seemed DRTS offices countrywide had different procedures and processes with regards to the services offered.

Their presentation noted that a study was carried out and that the results verified that DRTS offices countrywide offered inconsistent services.

Their project aimed to iron out the variations, unevenness and irregular service delivery.

Another point that was highlighted was that there were no standardised processes, as public servants tended to use their discretion and experiences in providing services to the public.

They further said that they had compiled a handbook to standardise operating procedures to minimise inconveniences and delays to customers, and that their recommendations would be forwarded to every DRTS office countrywide.

They added that they also plan to have display screens in banking halls in the form of presentation slides for customers.

Team MITIMIS from the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry presented on their project that aimed at having a customer-centric online and business licensing system.

They noted that some of the challenges that inspired the system were centralised services, the increase of doing business as customers travelled long distances to seek services.

It was also noted that the system had been rolled out to 10 local authorities and was also available on the government portal.

Palapye District Health Management Team (DHMT), known as Team Lotsane and Team Nxao from the Ngamiland District Health Management Team (DHMT) made up the four teams that presented their projects.

Team Lotsane presented on a project that deals with elderly care in Lotsane ward and going the extra mile in delivering health care services and taking care of the elderly.

Team Nxao spoke on their project they undertook in Phuduhudu with regards to oral health and how they incorporated traditional doctors.

For her part, Directorate of Public Service Management director, Ms Ruth Maphorisa said she would organise attachments and benchmarking for the teams to share their projects.

Ms Kebonye Moepeng, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration said the presentations addressed most of the issues that were raised on the first day of the convention.

“We have talent in the public service and it is admirable that public servants realise the challenges we have and also have solutions to most of these problems,” she said. ENDS