12 April 2007
The Department of Local Government and Housing has committed itself to
working closely with municipalities and consultants in implementing projects.
Department MEC, Candith Mashego-Dlamini and senior managers of the department
have met with consultants to take stock of progress in relation to the
provision of services to communities. Concerns ranging from poor planning, lack
of information on projects, poor monitoring skills, were some of the issues
raised by consultants as issues derailing service delivery during the
meeting.
The meeting is the first of two meetings that the department has planned as
part of the Imbizo Focus Week. MEC Mashego-Dlamini committed the department
that it will be transparent in the appointment of service providers and they
will all have an equal opportunity to compete for work. The MEC also committed
the department to working closely with municipalities in planning of their
capital projects and adhering to proper planning. She further added that the
department would make sure that all information on all projects is made
available to all stakeholders. The MEC further committed that the department
will root out any corruption wherever it rears its ugly head in the department;
in the same vain she urged all service providers to refrain from paying bribes
to officials.
The department also outlined that the appointment of service providers is
done through a number of processes guided by Treasury Regulations and
controlled by the Supply Chain Process. The Department also gave a brief
outline on the massive infrastructural projects which are to take place in the
2008/09 financial year. These are projects that will require highly qualified
service providers. Consultants and technical experts have been to register with
their professional bodies. Today's meeting will be followed by a meeting on 17
April 2007, where the department will meet with contractors in Nelspruit.
All serviced providers have also been urged to register with authorised
institutions like the National Home Builder's Registration Council (NHRBC) and
Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) when intending to do work for
the department.
For further information, please contact:
Simphiwe Kunene
Cell: 082 413 3931
Issued by: Department of Local Government and Housing, Mpumalanga Provincial
Government
12 April 2007
