Berea, June 24 — The Deputy Prime Minister, Justice Nthomeng Majara said the government is still on the right track in delivering its commitments to the nation.
DPM made the comments during the Tuesday night post National Leadership and Accountability Summit press briefing held at Blue Mountain Inn (BMI) hotel Teyateyaneng.
Justice Majara said despite the government’s efforts in pursuing service delivery, poor coordination and poor reporting mechanism are the major obstacles impeding the activities being implemented on the ground.
“The government is delivering on its promises of service delivery and they normally discuss matters during the parliament proceedings of which many people do not follow, hence many are still in darkness,” she explained.
However, she acknowledged that they have to improve on the already existing systems, adding that they are going to make a reporting template to facilitate reporting.
“To account is not about reporting on successes, but it’s also about the challenges encountered along the line of duty such as climate change triggering some unprecedented outcomes affecting projects as they are being implemented,” she explained.
She emphasized that a clear reporting system is a major challenge, adding that one may think they are delivering, but unaware that failure to openly address people about progress and challenges encountered is a serious problem.
Justice Majara made an example of the high unemployment rate being a global concern whereby at local level the government had to intervene by declaring it as a state of emergency, but surprisingly such an issue has sparked a nationwide outcry of people complaining about the government’s failure to report back on the similar matter.
“A lot has happened to address that issue, but it is overshadowed by many speculations, hence the need to improve the systems and align them to proper reporting mechanisms,” she explained.
She pointed out having learnt from their Rwanda counterparts, they are now clear that development is not about just doing, but it is all about doing something that is going to impact people’s lives and bring about some positive results.
Justice Majara said the most important issue is to make time and interact with communities rather than engaging with them during the election campaigns.
Also reflecting on the matter of accountability, Minister of Public Service Mr. Mputi Stephen Mputi indicated that it is the culture which they want to adopt in the entire Basotho, its benefits are more on the nation than the government.
Mr. Mputi stressed that the government has to work in a way that it is citizen centered, but they are trying to do away with a system whereby the government used to account to the nation while the elections approached.
“With this initiative we are adopting a new culture aimed to help the entire Basotho nation to realize their rights when it comes to good governance and accountability,” he added.
Minister of Public Works and Transport Mr. Matjato Moteane said among the issues which was identified to be a long term major challenge affecting development in the country includes lack of coordination which is quite notable during the infrastructure development projects.
Mr. Moteane indicated that integrated planning is essential and among the advice they have noted includes adopting a style of holding some regular meetings as the responsible ministers.
The leadership forum has then paved a way for the National Accountability Summit to take place from July 1 to 3 at Maseru, Manthabiseng Convention Centre.
Ends/RM/tl
