The Minister of Local Government and patron of the African Association of  Public Administration and Management (AAPAM) Dr. Pont'so Sekatle has urged civil servants to hard work and ensure that they improve service delivery  in public and private sectors.

Officially opening a two day conference of the Lesotho Association of  Public Administration and Management (LAPAM) to celebrate 40 years of Lesotho's independence held at Maseru sun on Thursday, Dr. Sekatle said civil service is the most powerful instrument within the government structures hence the need to provide quality services to the public.

She said the public has entrusted civil servants with the responsibility to lead development activities and therefore they should work towards the improvement of the nation.

''Public servants should re-think the core business of their ministries and be accountable for improved public administration and management,'' she added. The Minister however stated that the year 2006 is significant to Basotho as it marks 40 years of independence and first anniversary of local government which was implemented to enhance democratic governance in  Lesotho.

 She said the journey of 40 years has been categorized by achievements,  setbacks and challenges which are facing the majority of the nation and  they include among others poverty, hunger and the scourge of HIV/AIDS.

 Dr. Sekatle mentioned that though Basotho are faced with numerous challenges, the government did not loose hope as it resorted to everlasting solutions through implementation of development programmes.

''The programmes include introduction of Free Primary Education, launching of Lesotho National Vision 2020, promotion of gender equity for women empowerment and establishment of Anti Corruption Unit,' she elaborated.

Speaking at the same occasion the Government Secretary Mr. Tlohang Sekhamane appealed to members of LAPAM to work hard and be punctual in  their offices at all times in order to improve public administration and  management in Lesotho.

Mr. Sekhamane said LAPAM is one of the strongest chapters of AAPAM and  members should support the association and reconsider that they are public administrators.

The Deputy President of LAPAM Professor Maboee Moletsane also urged LAPAM  members to support the association by making sure that they pay  registration and subscription fees as well as to attend quarterly meetings for the success of the association.

 LAPAM was established in 1996 with the main objective to assist the  government, private sector, Non-Governmental Organizations in  professionalized management and administration in Lesotho.

SOURCE: LENA