Provincial EXCO Lekgotla sets the agenda ahead of State of the Province Address.
The Provincial Executive Council (EXCO) held a two-day Planning Lekgotla early this week to assess the extent to which delivery of services has been attained in the province, this ahead of the State of the Province Address (SOPA) which will be delivered on Friday, 15 February, by Premier of the North West, Prof. Tebogo Job Mokgoro.
Attended by Members of Executive Council (MECs), Mayors, Head of Departments, Administrators, Municipal Managers, Chief Executive Officers of public entities in the province and the leadership of the Provincial House of Traditional Leaders, the two-day Lekgotla deliberated on issues affecting the smooth delivery of basic services across the province, with challenges of water shortage, ageing infrastructure, waste management, housing backlog, roads maintenance, health care services and incomplete projects taking centre stage.
Addressing the Lekgotla, Premier Mokgoro stressed the need for the executive to respond to the huge outcry for basic services, arguing that an active citizenship that engages government is critical to the fulfillment of the country’s democratic agenda and the restoration of the communities’ confidence in government.
Reflecting on critical areas highlighted in the State of the Nation Address (SONA) delivered last week, Premier Mokgoro directed amongst others that a provincial investment book detailing investable social and economic infrastructure projects be finalised, this to reinforce the message delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa on strategies for creation of jobs, skills development and growing the economy.
The Lekgotla also reflected on the state of local government in the province, and welcomed progress registered through the intervention made at the eight (8) local municipalities placed under Sections 137 of the Municipal Finance Management Act and 139 of the Constitution respectively, with particular reference made to developments in Ditsobotla and Ramotshere Moiloa Local Municipalities.
The Lekgotla also highlighted the need for intergovernmental relations structures to be reinforced, this in a bid to unlock service delivery challenges and ensuring that there is coherent planning across the province.
The Lekgotla acceded to the call for local municipalities to be capacitated for delivery of services to be accelerated, and welcomed interventions presented by the department of Water and Sanitation on critical areas of water service delivery.
“The significance of ethical leadership can never be overemphasized. While we acknowledge the short comings in dealing with governance, institutional capacity and public accountability issues, we must demonstrate a collective effort to adapt a culture of prioritising the needs of the poor, unemployed, marginalised and dispossessed”, reiterated Premier Mokgoro.
Enquiries:
Vuyisile Ngesi
Cell: 079 778 1772
Tel: 018 388 4972
E-mail: vngesi@nwpg.gov.za
Bonolo Mohlakoana
Tel: 018 388 3705
Cell: 082 901 2435
E-mail: Bmohlakoana@nwpg.gov.za
