Erongo Council gets new chief
Nathalia /Goagoses
/Goagoses started as head of the council at the beginning of this month. She is circumspect about her new role saying “you don’t come into a new environment and just jump in with your expectations. I will engage with critical stakeholders, continue with consultations, study carefully the Erongo Regional Council resolutions taken and not forgetting the settlements and the constituency offices, proper visits might be undertaken as part of my familiarization exercise.”
To run the council efficiently she has set herself the immediate objective to finalize the Strategic Plan 2012-2017 and to ensure effective implementation of the three strategic themes namely, Socio-economic development, Operational efficiency and Good Governance in partnership with stakeholders.
29 years in public service, mostly in education and training with professional specialization in management and leadership groomed her to take the lead and steer the Erongo Region to even greater development heights. However, she says operational efficiency is one of the most important pillars of successful implementation of plans.
“Operational efficiency can only be realized if leaders create enabling and stimulating working environments to the staff members. Only a well-motivated staff member has proven to be most efficient and effective. Therefore, my firm believe is that growth in the Erongo Regional Council would occur with each administrative staff member playing his or her role to its maximum potential.”
“We thus need to engage in capacity building programmes with regard to the following key aspects: Effective Communication (Open), Feedback, Recognition (Awards), and Accountability which will form the basis for my growth principle.”
However, she does not expect it to be smooth sailing. After two weeks in office the balancing act of a Chief Regional Officer poses a challenge. But not one she could not handle, because the council as an institution has an inherent capacity, skills and the knowledge required for transformation from within.
“I should make my management decisions based on merits and not on emotions and pressures, and maintain fine balance between the administrative matters and serving the Councillors in all earnestness.”
Setting good priorities, tackling issues in a sensible sequence and sustaining implementation over time are what she aims at. With the combination of committed, hardworking and motivated administrative staff and supportive, informed political leadership, Erongo inhabitants can be ensured that the Erongo Regional Council will remain a leading regional institution in Namibia, she said.
