President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has reminded the newly appointed governors that delays in the implementation of government policies and programmes will not be accepted.
Dr. Nandi-Ndaitwah stressed the need for collaboration between government, communities, regional councils, local and traditional authorities, churches, and the business community to ensure that service delivery is not compromised.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah has appointed seven regional governors to fill the positions of three whose contracts were not extended and the four who were elected to the National Assembly.
Former Deputy Minister of Trade Verna Sinimbo is now Governor for Kavango-West; Swapo Party's former Chief Whip Hamunyera Hambyuka is for Kavango-East; Sacky Kathindi is for Oshikoto; and former Member of Parliament Vipuakuje Muharukua takes over Kunene as governor.
John ||Khamuseb is the Governor of Otjozondjupa, while Sam Nujoma Jnr., who served as Councillor at City of Windhoek, and former Rehoboth Rural Constituency Councillor Riaan McNab serve as governors of |Khomas and Hardap, respectively.
President Nandi-Ndaitwah urged the governors to carry out their mandate through the Swapo Party Election Manifesto for the years 2025-2030 based on the Implementation Plan.
The manifesto, which is to be implemented alongside other development plans, aims to tackle the high unemployment rate, especially among the youth; the housing backlog; and disparities in access to basic services, in particular in the informal settlements and between urban and rural areas.
"In appointing you, I have trust and confidence in you to serve the nation to the best of your abilities without fear or favour or nepotism. I consider you a person of integrity, and I expect nothing less from you in executing your duties. Unethical behaviour is equal to corruption, which undermines development and should be avoided in the performance of your duties and among the people you serve and work with. Remember, "THERE SHALL BE NO BUSINESS AS USUAL", and lack of implementation of government policies and programmes will not be accepted."
The President also expects the governors to communicate matters of concern as they occur in their respective regions.
"It must also be pointed out that your work will be closely monitored. And in order to ensure effective service delivery, you must be available to address problems in your respective regions in consultation with offices, ministries and agencies as the situation demands. I urge all of you to take your responsibilities seriously and to serve in the best interest of all Namibians. Let us all stand together in our commitment to better service delivery and to collaborate for a brighter future for our nation."
The newly appointed governors pledged to meet the expectations of the appointing authority.
The aim is also to make a lasting impact in addressing socio-economic challenges at the grassroots level.
Kavango West Governor Verna Sinimbo spoke on behalf of the governors.
"We are duty-bound to bring about development closer to our people, to stimulate regional economic growth and to ensure that no citizen is left behind. Our effectiveness will not be measured by the speeches we make but by the impact, by the lives we improve, the services we deliver and the trust we earn."
The appointment contracts of the remaining seven regional governors in the Omaheke, Oshana, Kharas, Omusati, Erongo, Zambezi, and Ohangwena regions have been extended until June.