WINDHOEK – National Union of Namibian Workers (NUNW) Secretary General Evilastus Kaaronda says the call for top performance among public servants should apply to political appointees such as ministers.

Prime Minister Nahas Angula – speaking to the staff of his office recently – implored public servants to roll up their sleeves in 2012 to help government achieve its promise to the populace.

“As we enter 2012, we should not crawl back into our cocoons of routines, it should not be business as usual,” Angula said.

Kaaronda welcomed the premier’s call – but found it discriminatively narrow as it only focuses on public servants.
Angula would argue that ministers do not fall under his office and that this responsibility lies largely with the presidency, a point that

Kaaronda himself has taken into consideration.

“He (Angula) is the Prime Minister – the most senior of all ministers,” Kaaronda said.

“On that basis,” Kaaronda added, “the Prime Minister should also tell his ministers to also shape up or ship out, just like public servants.”

“We agree with his call for better performance but what about the ministers?” Kaaronda asked.

“Some ministers have been there for eternity, but what are their records of achievement?” he asked.

“We agree with the PM fully on his call but we found him selective in his call. Permanent secretaries, too, must be told the same.”

“Some of them have been in the system since time immemorial and we can’t say all of them have been performing well,” argued the trade unionist.

Angula might not have implored ministers to shape up or ship out but President Hifikepunye Pohamba – during the official opening of Cabinet last week – urged them to record progress on the implementation of outstanding projects under their respective portfolios.