President Dr. Mokgweetsi Masisi has underscored the pressing need to address deficiencies in service delivery, emphasizing its urgency. His remarks came during a Joint Retreat gathering of accounting officers and chief executive officers from state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in Mmamashia yesterday. The retreat, organized by the Office of the President (OP), aims to establish a strategic platform for leaders in the public sector to engage and exchange perspectives on key national priorities driving the country's development agenda. In his address, President Masisi highlighted that during his extensive engagements across the country, he repeatedly encountered grievances regarding inadequate service provision. He urged officials to actively engage with communities at the district and local levels to understand their challenges thoroughly. President Masisi stressed the importance of soliciting feedback from citizens on how government policies and programs impact their lives, noting that such insights could prompt necessary revisions. Moreover, the President expressed concern over the persistent issue of delayed payments to suppliers, particularly affecting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), some of which have faced closure due to financial strains. He called for immediate action to settle outstanding payments by the end of the month and encouraged adherence to a maximum turnaround time of 10 working days for settling invoices. President Masisi underscored the government's commitment to supporting citizen-owned businesses through various empowerment initiatives, including the Public Procurement Act and the Economic Inclusion law. He urged full implementation of approved policies and laws, stressing the need for proactive exploration of alternative financing avenues as government subsidies alone prove unsustainable. Highlighting the recent approval of the National Transformation Strategy as a blueprint for realizing the Vision 2036 goals, the President urged participants to leverage the retreat as a platform for generating innovative and impactful strategies to spur economic growth. In her remarks, Permanent Secretary to the President, Ms. Emma Peloetletse, described the retreat as a unique opportunity for introspection, learning, and preparation for the upcoming financial year transition. She lauded President Masisi's leadership and vision, expressing gratitude for his unwavering support and encouragement in their service to the nation. Ms. Peloetletse emphasized the importance of collaboration between government and its stakeholders, reaffirming their commitment to their responsibilities and praising the President for his continuous promotion of creative solutions.