Staff Reporter
THE Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Indileni Daniel, has urged the ministry’s staff to use working hours efficiently and to ensure that all tasks are completed within the designated working hours.
“I must emphasise the efficient use of working hours. Due to severe budget cuts, all staff are required to ensure that work is completed effectively within official hours. Overtime must be avoided unless absolutely unavoidable. Poor planning, delays, or inefficiency must never be the reason for extended hours,” Daniel said.
She made these remarks during the Ministry’s Annual Staff Address, where she recognised that staff are working under resource constraints and facing increasing workloads, but urged them to focus on improving planning and coordination.
“Additional challenges included budgetary pressures, transport limitations, procurement delays, capacity constraints, and operational difficulties in remote locations are noted. These constraints underscore the need for continued strengthening of planning, coordination, contract management, and implementation systems,” the minister said.
Daniel also revealed that the ministry was allocated a Development Budget of N$70 million for the 2025-2026 Financial Year, covering nine programmes and 38 capital projects. According to her, total expenditure reached N$31.1 million, which represents just 45% of the budget. She expressed concern over this level of execution.
Despite this, she acknowledged the achievements of the ministry’s staff during the financial year.
“Key projects completed during the period include infrastructure at Ngoma, Namutoni, Mukwe, K1 and K2, Hobas, and the Fish River Canyon water pipeline, as well as the inauguration of the Swakopmund Office and completion of the Okahandja Forestry Office. Progress was also recorded on the Tourist Road Upgrade project in Etosha, which is critical for improving access to tourism destinations and supporting local economic activity,” Daniel said.
She further emphasised that these investments bolster operational capacity, improve staff working conditions, and enhance the visitor experience in protected areas, which in turn supports tourism growth and conservation objectives.
MAXIMISE EFFICIENCY: Scenes from the Environment Ministry’s Annual Staff Address. Photo: Ministry of Environment.
