Martin Endjala
For Namibia to capitalize on economic opportunities, it will need a fit-for-purpose public service or else economic development can be severely hampered by the absence of an able and capable public service.
Ebson Uanguta, the Bank of Namibia’s Deputy Governor during the celebration of the 2023 Africa Public Service Day in Katima Mulilo said: “My plea to all of us here today is to do everything necessary to ensure that poor quality public services are not the reason why we look back 30 years from today and regret that Namibia did not sufficiently capitalise on these once-in-a-lifetime economic opportunities.”
Africa Public Service Day this year is celebrated from the 24 to 27 July under the theme, ‘The African Continental Free Trade Area will require a fit for purpose African Public Administration’ in the Zambezi Region.
“We need to ensure that we step up, do all that is necessary to make Namibia an economic success story and avert the natural resources curse that has befallen many oil-producing economies that did not set appropriate public policies and did not sufficiently prepare their public services among others to weather the storms associated with being an oil producing economy,” he said.
Uanguta reiterated that the potential oil and gas as well as green hydrogen activities offer numerous opportunities for Namibia across the value chain.
These include providing services for offshore drilling operations, seismic surveys, supply and logistics, engineering and construction, and human resource development, adding that the successful development of the oil and gas sector can attract substantial foreign direct investment and foster technology transfer in the economy.
“These new industries can create a skilled workforce and enhance Namibia’s economic resilience as well as long-term sustainability,” he said.
He emphasized that the role and importance of public service and public servants in an economy cannot be overstated. It is an indisputable fact that public service is the gateway and engine of a country’s pathway to development.
Uanguta added, that there is not a single country in the world that can claim to have been able to develop its economy, deliver quality services to its people and/or improve the living standards of its people without a capable public service.
The three fronts on which the public service can assist to unlock these significant economic opportunities according to the Deputy Governor, are the setting of appropriate public policies, delivery of public infrastructure and provision of efficient public services.
Namibia, like many other economies on the continent, continues to grapple with significant economic challenges. Balancing the various competing interests facing the country and charting its way out of these challenging economic times, in a manner that broadly uplifts the society and improves the living standards of the people, will require a fit-for-purpose public administration.
In light of this, the intrinsic benefits associated with regional integration for Namibia, focusing on the implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the pivotal role the civil servants can play in facilitating regional integration, and the economic developments on the horizon for Namibia and implications for the quality of public services are fundamental.
However, capitalising on the oil and gas sector is said to require setting appropriate public policies. The determination of policies including taxation and expenditure plans associated with the oil and gas sector are critical in ensuring that the Namibian economy is placed and remains on a sustainable growth path.
This requires policymakers to implore a people-centred and long-term view on the utilisation of rents from the oil and gas sector to minimise reliance on the sector and avoid crowding out of other sectors of the economy.
In crafting these policies, there is a need to also ensure the sustainability of the sector so that it can benefit future generations as well. If properly managed, these natural resource endowments offer unparalleled opportunities for economic growth and development.
Moreover, these resources can be instrumental in relieving the large constraints in infrastructures. There is a need to build and strengthen institutions as well as regulatory and governance frameworks to ensure the efficient provision of public goods.
Uanguta is adamant that Namibia needs an excellent, professional, transparent, and fit-for-purpose public service that is efficient, incorruptible and committed civil servants with a high level of integrity.
He believes that the scourge of corruption is undermining development efforts and impacting economic growth, especially on the African continent.
The abuse of public offices for private gains erodes the public’s trust in the government and makes public policy less effective.
“As public servants, we are expected to do the right thing, even when it is not easy or fashionable. We must give our very best, take full responsibility, and uphold the highest professional and ethical standards and integrity. We must demonstrate agility and tenacity in the face of adversity, lest we perish along with the nation, said Uanguta.
Additionally, He maintained that the Central Bank will continue to do its part to support the economic development process and regional integration efforts. In ensuring that cross-border payments take place smoothly and safely through modern platforms to support macroeconomic stability, despite complex global challenges.
It will also continue to support other organs of Government concerning trade facilitation and contribute to the general growth of the economy.
