Good, not large, government
Prime Minister Hage Geingob
said good administration calls for a participative, transparent and accountable
style of management. In this process, he elaborated, residents should be the
focal point in the provision of services, ensuring an acceptable and reasonable
quality of life which takes into account health and the environment.The premier
told the annual general meeting of the Namibian Association of Local Authorities
(NALAO) that good administration includes setting clear targets for performance,
public participation and being explicit about costs and financing.?In addition,
good administration calls for putting in place a series of mechanisms to make
local governments more entrepreneurial, efficient and performance driven.?The
prime minister said the ultimate aim of local authorities should be ?good
governance, not large governments.??Our mayors and local councils should provide
leadership in doing what ever needs to be done to address the problems and
opportunities of their citizens.? In that process we must set goals and visions,
establish and enforce the rules of the game and organise and motivate resources
to assure that basic public functions are provided.?Geingob said local
authorities should guard against inequitable distribution of resources and
corrupt and unethical practices where the ratepayers are charged enormous rates,
which do not reflect the quality of the service, provided.?I also know of
instances where bills are sent to customers with un-serviced plots. Service
charges should be for actual service delivered and not for raising revenue to
pay huge salaries and other perks,? he said. Geingob said charging exorbitant
rates, leads to the denial of services to the poor, which results in unhygienic
conditions due to lack of water and basic services such as garbage collection,
which in turn leads to diseases.Minister of Regional and Local Government and
Housing Hon Nicky Iyambo said his ministry was concerned about the negative
effects of HIV/AIDS, the lack of information and technology and the empowerment
of women in the local authorities.