Fisheries minister promises improved service delivery

Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister, Bernard Esau, has called on the ministry’s staff to dedicate themselves to providing excellent service delivery with a strong sense of care towards citizens.
Speaking at a recent annual staff address, the minister who welcomed the new deputy minister, Chief Samuel Ankama, said 2013 is an extremely significant year for the ministry because of the singular focus on implementation of policies and programmes in the ministry’s quest for improved service delivery. “We have already had a relatively stable start to 2013 with the commencement of the new fishing season for horse mackerel and crab and I look forward to the same for other species in May 2013,” said Esau.
According to the minister, in 2012 the ministry encountered a few setbacks in the area of service delivery to its stakeholders and also experienced a decline in its share of the national budgetary allocation. Furthermore, the minister said he is worried about the continuous absenteeism among the staff, reporting late to work and the staff members that take unapproved leave. He said such undesirable habits should stop with immediate effect.
“It is critical for us to demonstrate a strong sense of duty and service delivery by focusing on 4C’s in all we do this year and beyond, namely commitment, compliance, competence and care. As public servants, the nation expects from all of us to show that we are committed to what we are doing and that this is not just another 8-5 hour work,” the minister advised.
Esau said staff training and development must be encouraged through mentorship programmes and other practical skill upgrading initiatives. “I am confident that you have smart ideas as to how we can execute our work for the benefit of our nation. Therefore I encourage you all to explore new and innovative ways of doing your work, to improve implementation and service delivery,” he said.
The minister also paid tribute to the late Doctor Abraham Iyambo, Minister of Education, who  served as Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources for a period of 14 years. Esau described the late Iyambo as a pioneer in his own right, in charting the course for the fisheries ministry. “In remembrance of his life, we have a duty as a ministry to respect and cherish his good work by continuing to dedicate ourselves to hard work, commitment and service to our nation and uphold the same core values as the torch bearers in order to complete the journey he has started,” Esau exhorted.