By Petronella Sibeene
WINDHOEK
Cabinet rounded off its work for the year when it held it last meeting for 2007 on Tuesday, before taking its customary break during the Christmas recess.
Starting January 23, 2007, Cabinet has held 22 ordinary meetings during the year, at which it adopted a total of 290 resolutions.
Speaking at the closing session, President Hifikepunye Pohamba commended Cabinet members for their contribution to the exchange of views on various matters of national interest during the year.
He said such discussions were essential to the task of national building and the process of national reconciliation.
An important milestone in public policymaking this year has been the finalisation of the National Development Plan 3 – the roadmap for social and economic development.
Pohamba said the implementation of NDP 3, Vision 2030 and the 2004 Swapo Party manifesto should remain at the centre of policy implementation.
“They should form part of our most urgent priorities and areas of focus. Both the manifesto and NDP 3 are important catalysts for the realisation of our long-term development policies,” the President stressed.
He urged Cabinet to assess, monitor and evaluate the implementation of NDP 3 and take quick remedial action where shortcomings are detected.
He described the Ministers’ conference on decentralisation as another milestone in the policy-making arena.
“The review of the Decentralisation Policy should create new momentum and opportunity to iron out difficulties that have been encountered during the implementation process,” Pohamba added.
The conference demonstrated Government’s commitment to bringing itself closer to the people.
He regards the year 2008 as a time of intensified action from the political and administrative heads of public institutions and their staff.
He said Namibians especially those in rural areas expect their Go-vernment to deliver ser-vices and improve their living standards.
Namibia this year also saw several State visits by foreign heads of state that led to the signing of various bilateral and economic co-operation agreements.
Pohamba urged those in positions of responsibility to ensure proper coordination and follow-up to the agreements so that Namibia can reap the benefits.
“We have signed these agreements with serious intentions. Their implementation must be pursued and realised with the seriousness which they deserve,” he said.
He said Namibia should not tolerate a situation where years elapse before any follow-up action takes place to implement the agreements signed between Namibia and other countries.
“In the changing world, we must move swiftly to engage other countries for the mutual benefit of our countries,” Pohamba told Cabinet ministers.
The President also took time out to wish all Namibians a happy festive season.
“Let us take time to rest and further strengthen ties with our family members, our friends and our communities.
“This is one way in which we can promote the well-being of our families and our communities, while pushing forward the objectives of our policy of national reconciliation,” he said.