WINDHOEK: Governor of the Erongo Region, Neville Andre Itope has reiterated the commitment to fighting corruption, acknowledging it as a global evil impacting all nations.

The governor at the ACC Regional Stakeholders’ forum at Swakopmund on Tuesday in collaboration with the Erongo Regional Governor’s Office emphasised the critical role of preventative measures and the necessity of implementing the National Anti-Corruption Strategy and Action Plan (NACSAP) to foster integrity and transparency.

The forum discussed and reviewed the progress of the (NACSAP) 2021-2025 in the region.

‘Corruption undermines the rule of law and democracy; it leads to the wasting of funds, distorts markets and competition, and hampers trade and investments,’ he remarked.

The governor thus called for collaborative efforts to educate the public about the dangers and effects of corruption, highlighting the importance of outreach programmes to cultivate a culture of integrity in all sectors.

In her address, ACC Deputy Director Gener
al Advocate Erna van der Merwe emphasised the importance of inclusivity, ownership, and accountability at all levels, urging participants to prevent corruption by being vigilant and proactive.

She further highlighted the significance of regional forums as part of the governance structures and monitoring bodies essential for implementing NACSAP effectively.

Approved by Cabinet in December 2021 and launched in March 2022, NACSAP comprises eight strategic objectives and 95 actions spearheaded by 44 lead institutions.

To date, 87 of the 95 actions were successfully implemented in the 2022/2023 financial year, she said, while commending the Erongo Governor’s Office for this opportunity, which complements ACC’s efforts in the fight against corruption.

‘We hope that today’s interaction will provide an overview of the views and expectations of this region’s inhabitants regarding the implementation of NACSAP,’ she stated.

Both speakers underscored the necessity of partnership and collective effort in combating co
rruption, emphasising that fighting corruption is a shared responsibility while urging all stakeholders to actively participate in spreading the anti-corruption message and abstaining from corrupt practices.

Training sessions on ethics and integrity were conducted for local authority staff in municipalities such as Swakopmund, Henties Bay, Arandis, Walvis Bay, Usakos, and Karibib.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency