06 Jun 2021

The vice president has implored public service employees as drivers of government strategy to accelerate economic reforms to bolster the economy.

Addressing heads of department in Ghanzi on Friday, Mr Slumber Tsogwane said employees should shun wastage, strive for efficiency and support reforms meant to improve productivity.

He expressed the hope that the zero-based budgeting method recently adopted by government would increase efficiency.

Government employees, he said, must also promote  the  export-led economy initiative as a strategy to improve economic growth.

Simultaneously, they should be conscious of the importance of value chain system and economic diversification, he said.

Turning to digitalization, Mr Tsogwane explained that it was now a government priority to ready the country for the fourth industrial revolution.

The aim was to  reduce cost of operations, improve service delivery and efficiency as well as enhance inclusivity, he said.

The vice president said 203 villages across the country would benefit in the upcoming Internet connectivity project.

Regarding revenue collection, he said broadening it would not only revitalise the country’s economy but would also improve service delivery.
 “You should talk about balance sheet in totality. Do not talk about expenditure without talking about revenue generation,” the vice president stated.
Earlier, Ghanzi District principal economist, Ms Goitsemang Matlhodi had informed the vice president of Namibia government’s decision to no longer accept rapid diagnostic tests results.

It now accepted PCR only, she said.
On other COVID-19 related issues, Ms Mathodi said social distancing had exacerbated shortage of classrooms across the country forcing schools to resort to double shifting.

She further explained that reducing class size to 30 pupils meant additional classes resulting in the need for more teachers which came with an additional challenge of accommodation shortage.

Ms Matlhodi revealed that services to Central Kalahari Game Reserve residents cost an estimated P188 874. 70 a month covering fuel, subsistence and overtime allowance for officers and food rations for the needy.

She said the development of boreholes in the reserve would go a long way in cutting costs.

For his part, MP for Ghanzi North, Mr Johane Thiite expressed concern that the district’s already overstretched school facilities would not cope once Tshukudu metals mine started operating.

The company has prospects of mining silver and copper along the Kalahari belt in the Ghanzi region.

Mr Thiite therefore called for the construction of additional  primary and junior schools.

He also suggested that professionals be engaged to monitor government projects to ensure return on investments. Ends