SWAKOPMUND - Newly appointed Governor of the Erongo Region, Cleophas Mutjavikua, has strongly cautioned the public service that with him at the helm of the region it would no longer be business as usual, but rather business unusual.
Mutjavikua said he would make it his personal business during his tenure that service delivery becomes non-negotiable.

The governor said his office would resolve to ensure that its stakeholders receive the necessary services they deserve.
Mutjavikua was addressing regional councillors and mayors of the towns in the region, and warned those not performing to likely face the boot if their performance is not up to standard.

"It is time for us to overhaul the work process of our institutions by removing those who do not create customer value."

He said public service employers, including councillors, need to rally behind the call of duty, in order to maintain a competitive edge.
Mutjavikua stressed that municipalities in the region must move away from being a control-oriented bureaucracy to new user-friendly partners.
The governor also touched on employment creation, saying that councillors should think outside the box to bring about employment opportunities.

Mutjavikua said Erongo Region being the largest contributor to GDP should place further emphasis on sectors such as tourism, mining and fishing.
It being the start of his duty, he said, for the next few days he would consult economic players in the region. He also raised the issue of ownership in sectors such as tourism, mining and fishing, saying investors ought to consider sharing the wealth, derived from these economic activities, with previously disadvantaged communities in the form of shares.

"We are aware of good progress especially with regard to black economic empowerment (BEE) procurement and this is not covering all the mines."
He said the issue of ownership of mines would remain one of his top priorities.
"It will not be acceptable to those that put us in office to accept a situation whereby mining companies are all hundred percent foreign owned."