20 Mar 2018

Minister of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs Mr Edwin Batshu has urged employees under his ministry to improve performance and adhere to the public service charter.

Speaking during the Inaugural Leadership Forum held in Palapye on Thursday, Mr Batshu implored the employees to familiarise themselves with the public service charter and other statutory governing the public service.

The forum held under the theme “An epitome of Excellence in Service Delivery” was aimed at strategising on how to effectively lead and direct the ministry to deliver its strategic foundations and to improve on communication.

The forum was also aimed at monitoring progress achieved on national priorities, being the achievement of sustained economic development, diversification through citizen empowerment and accelerated job creation, especially among the youth, to ensure dignified livelihoods for all Batswana.

Mr Batshu who is also MP for Nkange said the public officer is a servant to the public and his conduct must be characterised by courtesy, humility, and respect for every person regardless of station in life.

He also added that public servants must be neutral, that is neutrality not only political neutrality but also fairness to fellow officers and to the public.

Political neutrality, he said demands that public officers give their best regardless of the government in power, adding that the duty of public servants is to understand and implement government programmes and policies.

Mr Batshu further said for his ministry to perform outstandingly, it needs leaders who are resolute and determined.

He implored leaders in his ministry not to focus attention on the ministry’s functions but should also show interest in what their stakeholders are doing.

He urged them to be properly dressed at all times and be exemplary to their subordinates.

“Present yourself in a manner that will not embarrass you,” he said.

The ministry scored an average performance score of 66 per cent for the period of April and September 2017.

For her part the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs Ms Banny Molosiwa said the ministry is in the first year of implementation of its strategy period but has not realized the performance it desired.

She attributed this to delays and inconsistent issuance of visa, work and residence permits and identity. Ends