By M.A. Egge
On the second day of the cabinet ministers’ induction workshop, the VP H.E. Mohamed Ali Aw Abdi, passionately gave a wonderfully valuable speech based on the essence of accountability and transparency in government, good governance essentials, and what entails justice, fairness for the Somaliland society, strengthening unity and common ownership of the nation.
Such a lecture to the top ministerial chiefs publicized is unprecedented in the country.
It further underscores the eager avidness that the WADDANI administration government is keen and bent on in the dispensation of their public services duties.
The VP imploringly urged the new misters “to fully understand the importance of their sworn duty to the nation”.
He pointed out, “I hope that this two-day workshop will truly reflect the governance we aspire to achieve, especially the plan we have to implement in the first 100 days”.
He addressed them, Ladies and Gentlemen, transparency in governance begins with elected officials and the officials they appoint hence reflect upon and translate to the provision of services to the people expected in accountable and transparent governance”.
He said that it was necessary for government officials to bring accountability and transparency in their work, and at the same time implement the changes they have campaigned for as a party.
“In our fledgling government, it is essential that we bring accountability and transparency in our work. It is a religious obligation for us to fulfill the work we have been sworn to do for the nation”, he said.
He continued, “It is up to us to build a good government that is free from corruption, bias and bureaucratic delays. The public expects us to bring about the changes we have been campaigning for.”
The Vice President also told the ministers that they need to fulfill the people’s expectations and swiftly expedite the tasks assigned to them.
“The one who is expected to believe in the people’s expectations is you, for you are expected to seriously carry out the pioneering tasks that lie ahead of you”.
He further said, “We are faced with restoring the people’s trust in their government, and it is our duty to come up with constructive ideas that will warm the hearts of our people.
“Transparency in governance is based on making short, medium and long-term plans (Proper Strategic Plan), which is accountable and transparent.
“I urge you to implement the Political Program that the Waddani Party entered the election with, which truly reflects the needs of the people.
“In the end, we must increasingly uphold Equality and Justice, and enhance the services provided to the people.”
The speech would go down well in the journals of the country’s history that the executive of a new administration publicly tells its ministers what is expected of them from the word go.