I did the best I could - Jooste
OGONE TLHAGE
WINDHOEK
Public enterprises minister Leon Jooste says his ministry – which will now be absorbed into the ministry of finance - worked in the best interests of all Namibians.
Yesterday it was announced that the ministry will be converted into a directorate under the finance ministry.
Jooste announced its planned phasing out, which he said was expected to take three to four months.
According to him, the ministry had created sound governance systems for public entities to implement.
“We laid the foundation and a phase of implementation will now follow. We established the governance infrastructure, policies, systems, directives and processes that are required to transform the public enterprises,” said Jooste.
Jooste also defended a decision to liquidate Air Namibia, despite notions that it was done to favour a local aviation company.
“The ministry most definitely worked in the best interest of the public. What public entities other than Air Namibia went under administration or liquidation?” he asked.
Happy to serve
When asked about his time as minister of public enterprises, Jooste said he had been happy to serve.
“I came to do just that, and I did that to the best of my ability. I will also continue to serve; we do not all need to be ministers to serve our country. It was never about Leon, a title or a salary, and it will never be,” said Jooste.
He added that he had no qualms about handing over his responsibilities as public enterprises minister to the minister of finance.
“This is in the best interest of the rest of the process and I am proud to hand the keys to the minister of finance. These have been the most difficult but best years of my life and I don’t have a single regret,” said Jooste.
Commenting on the new structure, Jooste said oversight will continue and the minister of finance will now have the ability to use budgets to ensure compliance and performance.
“This should therefore bring further improvement. The ministry of finance will now have direct insight into the public entities.”
WINDHOEK
Public enterprises minister Leon Jooste says his ministry – which will now be absorbed into the ministry of finance - worked in the best interests of all Namibians.
Yesterday it was announced that the ministry will be converted into a directorate under the finance ministry.
Jooste announced its planned phasing out, which he said was expected to take three to four months.
According to him, the ministry had created sound governance systems for public entities to implement.
“We laid the foundation and a phase of implementation will now follow. We established the governance infrastructure, policies, systems, directives and processes that are required to transform the public enterprises,” said Jooste.
Jooste also defended a decision to liquidate Air Namibia, despite notions that it was done to favour a local aviation company.
“The ministry most definitely worked in the best interest of the public. What public entities other than Air Namibia went under administration or liquidation?” he asked.
Happy to serve
When asked about his time as minister of public enterprises, Jooste said he had been happy to serve.
“I came to do just that, and I did that to the best of my ability. I will also continue to serve; we do not all need to be ministers to serve our country. It was never about Leon, a title or a salary, and it will never be,” said Jooste.
He added that he had no qualms about handing over his responsibilities as public enterprises minister to the minister of finance.
“This is in the best interest of the rest of the process and I am proud to hand the keys to the minister of finance. These have been the most difficult but best years of my life and I don’t have a single regret,” said Jooste.
Commenting on the new structure, Jooste said oversight will continue and the minister of finance will now have the ability to use budgets to ensure compliance and performance.
“This should therefore bring further improvement. The ministry of finance will now have direct insight into the public entities.”
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