STAFF WRITER
PRESIDENT Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah on Thursday told civil servants to drop the business as usual approach and improve service delivery in their everyday dealings.
Nandi-Ndaitwah said the era of entitlement and comfort zones in the civil service in the public sector is now a thing of the past. “If you do not have passion for the people, if you see citizens as a burden, and if you believe your office is a space for your personal comfort zone for enrichment or side businesses, then you are at a wrong place. I must therefore ask you: Why are you in the public service? Create space for those who are ready to serve the public,”Nandi-Ndaitwah said.
The President said she has heard complaints of poor service, inaccessibility, and rude officials, a situation she said frustrated Namibians seeking services from government.
“This is not how the servants of people must serve people. I therefore demand immediate change. We talk of public service because those who make up that body are people who have committed themselves to serve the public and not themselves. Hence, the government elected by the people does appreciate them through a monthly salary agreed and signed as you join the public service,” she said.
The President reminded civil servants of the luxuries they enjoy in their jobs saying that must come with delivery.
“Think of the benefits you enjoy as a public servant,A regular monthly salary, Access to medical aid (costing Government N$3.62 billion, Membership in a pension fund, Housing and vehicle allowances, Career development opportunities, Local and international exposure.
“The above benefits serve as your driving force that must propel you towards the accomplishments of the assignments given to you. You must bear in mind other Namibians out there who are looming in the streets without opportunities for employment. That should help
you develop an attitude of gratitude. When we count our blessings, we will serve with humility,” she said.
She added that, “You must know, self-enrichment on the expense of the public is abridge of the contract and a betrayal of the nation trust.”
Nandi-Ndaitwah made a passionate plea to civil servants to adopt a basic-needs and service-excellence approach.
“This is not optional, it is necessary. The Government must not fail those it has sworn to serve. This means that all Namibians regardless of race, religion, status, or location must have equal access to basic services, clean water, sanitation, food, health care, education, employment, justice, and opportunities for economic advancement,” she said.
COMMENTS