13 Feb 2018

Minister for Presidential Affairs, Governance and Public Administration, Mr Eric Molale says the ministry provides a leading role in the running of the country as well as maintaining peace and ensuring successful implementation of government projects.

Speaking during a courtesy call on him by his Zimbabwean counterpart on February 12, Mr Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, who is the newly appointed Minister of State for Presidential Affairs and Monitoring of Government Programmes,

Mr Molale noted that government last year added governance portfolio in the ministry as it has been non-existent, although it is a crucial component.

He said the ministry is huge to the extent that in some countries, it could be broken down into six ministries, but noted that there are some strategic units that have been deliberately placed under Office of the President for better resourcing and monitoring, given the sensitivity of their high value, adding impact to different segments of the citizenry.

These units include; Poverty Eradication Unit, Economic Stimulus Programme, Disaster Management Unit, Office of the People with Disabilities, Appeals management Unit, Public Sector Reforms, Government Implementation

Coordination Office and Government Communication Information Systems. He however said these units are thinly staffed as they mainly play a coordinating and monitoring role while the actual implementation of the projects takes place at portfolio ministry level. He told the Zimbabwe minister that in addition, the OP has under its wings the following departments; Information Services (print media), Broadcasting Services (electronic media), Government Printing and Publishing Services and Corporate Services.  

Meanwhile, Mr Molale has briefed his visitor on Vision 2016 and NDP 11, adding that Vision 2036 in the country’s enhanced roadmap for achieving overall goal of attaining prosperity for all to ensure that every citizen enjoys a dignified livelihood.

On good governance, minister Molale said it remains anchored in the country’s strict adherence to the rule of law. In addition, it is further rooted in the commitment to the core principles of good governance, which includes; responsiveness in meeting the expectations of citizens, transparence, as well as efficiency and effectiveness in management systems, the competence, capacity and ethical conduct of the public service and willingness to embrace change through innovation.

Mr Mumbengegwi said his ministry is new and president Emmerson Mnangangwa has in addition ordered that every minister should come up with four items to achieve within the first 100 days of his presidency, noting that his visit here will be beneficial more so that his ministry also covers a wide range of portfolios.

He said as he is still setting up his ministry, he will require total and committed guidance from Botswana, particularly that they are still clueless on where to start and end, adding that they have been ordered to be result-orientated, a move that will lead them to the country’s national election later this year with something tangible. ENDS