Defence ministry personnel urged to drive excellence

Defence ministry’s personnel has been urged to drive excellence in order to serve the interests of the public in matters of defence and security. The Minister of Defence and Security, Kagiso Mmusi made the remarks when officially opening the ministry’s strategic retreat that was held at Royal Aria conference centre this week. Mmusi said it was imperative that the ministry constantly monitors, assesses and evaluates its policies, strategies, plans and programmes to determine how best they can serve the interests of the public.

Mmusi said given the peculiarity of the ministry whose mission is to provide strategic direction and political oversight on entities responsible for defence and security of Botswana, there was a great need for cohesion and interoperability between defence ministry departments.

He stated that the Constitution of Botswana serves provides the framework that enables effectiveness of the ministry hence it is important that officers make a deliberate effort to establish efficient delivery systems in order to achieve their mandate. Mmusi further reminded ministry’s personnel that the cabinet has directed all ministries to facilitate implementation of the approved constitutional review recommendations as they appear on Government Paper no.1 through development and review of relevant laws, policies and programmes.

“I therefore, urge you to asses and analyse all statutes related to your departments to ensure that they are not in conflict with recommendations. This includes ensuring that we close all the gaps that might arise. I wish to implore you all to ensure that today’s business is done in time with zeal and enthusiasm with a view to take the ministry forward and serve our customers who are Batswana much better,” Mmusi said.

He further reminded delegates that in delivering on their planned priorities to serve the nation better, the priorities should be aligned to the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), the transitional national development plan and his committee of supply speech delivered in Parliament last month.

He stated that it cannot be over emphasised that the peace and security of the country is dependent on defence ministry as well as the departments guided by pillar 4 of the Vision 2036.

“My priorities areas are ensuring a free and safe nation, I also want to ensure that we have a free, safe and fair elections in October therefore it is your responsibility as the defence and security ministry to ensure that happens. Another priority is to provide an enabling environment which include for our men and women in uniform have proper accommodation, transport, housing and police stations. We have a plan to construct 28 police stations and I hope that this important project will transform and enhance our security as country,” he said.

Mmusi revealed that these are geared towards attaining governance, peace and security pillar. Moreover, he said his other priority was research and development as they need to fully understand all the critical variables that influence peace and security through research to enable them to develop innovative and evidence-based solutions especially as they have recently established the new department of Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).

“As you know this country is faced with a serious enemy such being drugs and it is very important that we support this department in order to help, assist them in insuring that by the end of this year we would have eliminated drugs in this country. It is a very important priority to me,” he said.

He further stated that another national priority that he was happy to have embraced is mindset change which he is even happier that as a ministry they have their roadmap, and implementing it actively.

“These should therefore, serve as a beacon to your areas of priorities in the departments of the ministry. Our collective efforts should focus on constantly assessing current defence and public security threats, offering strategic and effective solutions to sustain peace, security and stability at all levels because anything to the contrary will render the ministry and its departments meaningless,” he said.

Mmusi stated that the strategic linkages and synergies established at the retreat should align with their goal of improving ineffectiveness and enhancing ministry performance and productivity levels to ensure a safe and secure nation as they start a new financial year.

Meanwhile, Mmusi further thanked the ministry’s personnel for good working relationships, what they have achieved in the last five years. He pleaded with them to put the country and its people first and deliver on their mandate, serve and protect the public and their properties. The minister further pleaded with the delegates to make sure that Batswana are not impoverished by criminals when they have worked hard for what they have.

“Let’s not fail our people, I receive calls 24 hours from members of the community complaining on how you serve them. Another major complain from the public is how tenders are being awarded in this ministry, Day and night I receive queries on tenders. I don’t just get involved in tenders but I really want to plead with yourselves that lets make sure that we do things properly, effectively and on time,” he said. He further disclosed to have come across cases in which he would pick that some officers would have played tricks with people’s lives by choosing not to offer people tenders with reasons known to them. He said such officers would rather take that money somewhere else instead of giving it to Batswana or that budgeted money end up not being used at all.

“Let’s make sure that we provide better services to Batswana, I plead with you as senior officers to look into these issues and make sure that what you procure would be of great use to this country, it is not nice for me as a minister to complain about these issues but I am troubled by quarries day and night,” he said.

Moreover, Mmusi pleaded with senior officers to look after their juniors adding that he understands that in disciplined forces there are ranks but senior officers should look after juniors and make sure that they address them with respect.

“Your juniors are important because they are the ones who make sure that we are where we are as a ministry. Seba gateleleng, I know that in disciplined forces go nale borena but I am pleading with you treat our juniors with respect, ensure that they stay in good environment and they are paid their dues on time. If you can achieve all that you will see that those people will make sure that the work is done properly on the ground,” pleaded Mmusi.