for Safety, Liaison, Roads and Transport at the launch of Motor Vehicle Renewal
Service by the South African Post Office, Regent Hotel, East London
2 October 2007
It is indeed a great pleasure for me to expand the motor vehicle
registration renewal service to this part of our province, as it would make
life easier for our people, when they want to access government services. Since
last year, we have resolved to provide enabling business processes for certain
transport functions to promote good governance and transportation excellence.
The adopted administration processes have provided space for us to realise our
objectives of maximising the principles of Batho Pele â People First, in an
attempt to respond to the challenges of providing the necessary support to all
our people.
The new motor vehicle registration renewal service that we are launching
with the South African Post Office (SAPO) here today has already yielded good
results in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metropole. When we entered into this
partnership in July 2006, there was a backlog of 1 700 transactions, which were
not finalised by the department. As we speak, we are 95% up to date with the
backlog.
We have been able to cut down long queues that have been experienced by our
people and tremendously improved service delivery, as some of the 31 outlets in
that region are available on weekends and public holidays. This is a commitment
to service delivery, which I believe should be emulated by our civil service.
It cannot be business as usual. Government officials, especially at local
government level should adopt an innovative working culture that views our
people as clients.
That approach will ensure that we continuously improve the quality of
services that we provide at that level. Our people cannot continue to be
subjected to a situation, where they stand in long queues to access government
services. The improved service performance that is currently taking place in
the Nelson Mandela Metro has encouraged us to expand the use of the Post Office
for motor vehicle registration renewal to Buffalo City and King Sabata
Dalindyebo Municipalities, utilising a Best Practice Model in conjunction with
Business Against Crime.
This Best Practice Model features the Batho Pele Principles and has been
incorporated in the service level agreements that the Department will renew on
a regular basis. Our e-NaTIS Helpdesk has been restructured to conform to this
Best Practice Model. We will then monitor improved service delivery on a
regular basis. Clearly, the opening of this first 12 of the 30 identified sites
(25 in Buffalo City and five in King Sabata Dalindyebo) will ensure that today
is better than yesterday.
The first 12 sites are: Beacon Bay PO, East London PO, Mdantsane PO,
Southernwood PO, Gonubie PO, Vincent PO, King Williams Town PO, Amathole PO,
Viedgesville PO, Unitra PO, Mqanduli PO and Madeira PO. These outlets will have
longer operational hours and I am convinced that all of them are ready to
undertake this task. This service is the provincial government's major source
of revenue, which is not only earmarked for road works and traffic management,
but to provide an important contribution to the provincial funds in order fight
poverty and underdevelopment.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Post Office and I
hope we will work together in the interest of good governance and
administration. This new approach does not necessary mean that we are
abandoning the municipalities. The Department will continue to work with
municipalities in the provision of this service and other transportation
solutions. We will remain available to assist Buffalo City to develop
innovative ways and means of revenue generation.
I have established Transmec, which is a structure where I interact with
councillors and officials responsible for transport and infrastructure in all
municipalities in the province, which is going to help all of us to facilitate
service delivery to our people. Already, we are working closely with the
Buffalo City Municipality in a project of integrating Mayibuye Transport
Corporation services with that of the municipality to improve viability and
sustainability of the service, guided by the municipality's Public Transport
Plan.
This plan does feature in our Integrated Roads and Transport Master Plan,
which includes the transport related infrastructure, not directly the
responsibility of the Department, so that we may be in a better position to
work together as different authorities for the betterment of transportation in
the province. The plan will be reviewed on an annual basis as part of the
department's strategic plan to take account of new and updated data and service
delivery requirements.
Furthermore, we have been able to intervene on the Buffalo City
infrastructure challenges through our Sakha Isizwe Learnership Project, where
we have tarred the streets of Mdantsane Township Zone 17 and Zone 15 as part of
our contribution to the township's Urban Renewal Programme. In conclusion, let
us continue to work together as government and private sector in providing
lasting solutions to the challenges that continue to haunt our young
democracy.
I thank you
Issued by: Department of Safety, Liaison, Roads and Transport, Eastern Cape
Provincial Government
2 October 2007
