19 January 2006
The North West Provincial Government would like to give proper perspective
regarding statements attributed to or pertaining to the state of affairs in the
Department of Agriculture, Environment and Conservation. Such statements are
not informed by either facts or an understanding of the strides made by the
department to address some of the weaknesses mentioned.
During November and December 2004 some system problems regarding
departmental performance in respect of conditional grants were identified. A
strategy addressing this problem was initiated following the intervention by
the Premier. During this process the then incumbent Head of the Department
(HOD) took transfer to a national department. Subsequently, the new HOD
(suspended August 2005) was appointed on March 2005. It was hoped that the
strategy would be implemented with the view to improve systems and service
delivery regarding conditional grants but that was not to be the case.
The intervention by the Premier as well as the approved projects by the
national Department were reviewed and subjected to new criteria by the new HOD
upon assumption of her duties. These were particularly land-care projects. This
resulted in delays in service delivery and thus creating some handicap.
Immediately after the reconfiguration of departments and redeployment of
MECs in August last year, one of the key mandates given to the department of
Agriculture, Environment and Conservation was to pay focused attention to the
growth and development programme of the province. The province identified
agriculture as one of the key pillars of our Provincial Growth and Development
Strategy. The Department has since been implementing this mandate with
relentless energy and commitment. The current MEC, immediately upon assumption
of duty, was given the mandate to correct and address the issues specified
above.
Following the good co-operation with the national Department of Agriculture,
funds meant for conditional grants were transferred to the local Department
last year and the expenditure pattern has since improved. It is evident also
that related projects started in 2004 are nearing completion, as indicated by
the budget.
It is important to note that the allocation of conditional grants to
provinces usually creates challenges at the initial stages, but the Department
has gained more experience and managed to put systems into place. The
Department is striving to introduce sustainable and economically viable
projects and not to rush projects that will collapse shortly after being
launched.
For the record, the Department managed to spend 80% of the R26,87 million
allocated to the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP) during
2004/5. Based on the tenders that are out and projects that are in the
pipeline, the departmental projections indicate that by the end of 2005/06, 30%
of the R40 million allocated funds would have been used.
Plans have been put in place to improve performance on expenditure before
the end of this financial year. These plans are being rolled out, as projects
are being implemented with great pace and speed. Part of the plan was discussed
with the national Department of Agriculture to re-schedule the implementation
cycle of projects to June 2006. This will give adequate time for proper
spending and effective management.
The Department is increasing the thresholds for the procurement of goods and
services. Furthermore it is important to note that some agricultural activities
are seasonal, such as the crop production projects which will now be
implemented during the planting season, where huge expenditure will be incurred
until harvesting time.
The assertion that the department is unable to perform due to the suspension
of five senior managers is simply wrong and grossly misleading. The suspensions
were as the result of forensic audit undertaken by the Department. Therefore
there is no established positive correlation of the suspension of senior
managers and performance of the department as alleged. The suspended senior
managers have not created a vacuum as their positions have since been filled by
other capable staff and the acting Head of the Department.
Contrary to the impression created in the media, there is a Department of
Agriculture, Environment and Conservation that is operating at an optimal level
with proper structure, systems and resources allocated. It is led by a
substantive and capable MEC. As far as we are aware, the Department is not
paralysed. Neither is it in collapse.
Enquiries: Russel Mamabolo
Tel: (018) 387 3103
Cell: 082 900 6610
Issued by: Office of the Premier, North West Provincial Government
19 January 2006
