We have identified a number of weaknesses in the Supply Chain Management and payment processes within the department, and this has lead to the department receiving a qualified audit report. In this regard, the department is moving with full speed to address the weaknesses in the financial controls as identified by the A-G and by the management. The focus is to ensure a more effective and efficient finance unit that does things differently and transparently.
By April 2011, we will have systems in place to ensure all processes are streamlined so that we can report on our financial information accurately. This will further accelerate the delivery of all infrastructure projects in Gauteng.
Key amongst the interventions we are making is the commitment to ensuring that invoices are requested, submitted and processed within 30 days of receipt of invoice from service providers. To this effect there will be ring-fencing of infrastructure grant money to ensure that payments can be made on time.
The government has decided to prioritise social infrastructure; and in line with this, we have resolved to continue with the Kopanong Precinct, albeit on a scaled-down level. This decision was taken to accommodate other pressing social infrastructure needs such as schools, clinics and hospitals in the province.
In line with the commitment we made during the budget vote presentation to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature on 1 June, the department has completed and handed over the construction of the Katlehong Primary School to the Gauteng Department of Education. A further 28 projects are currently in progress.
We have completed maintenance work at health and social development facilities, as well as facilities for other line departments.
We are in the process of finalising the Property Management Strategy, which is a priority for government. The strategy is aimed at ensuring that infrastructure management and investment is geared at maximising the social and economic returns on government property. It will create a basis for policy development to ensure maximum benefits in allocating accommodation, maximising access, and leveraging on all property for economic development.
We will continue identifying, auditing and locating government owned assets such as land, buildings and other social infrastructure. This will contribute to finalising the provincial asset register.
On government owned residential property, one of the immediate decisions taken was to ensure that we implement market-related rentals to those occupying these properties. This has been in effect from 1 June 2010.
Our records indicate that we have 826 residential properties, and only a few have signed lease agreements. We have a plan in place to ensure that the remaining 795 who are occupying these properties sign market-related lease agreements by the end of this financial year.
The department, through its Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) and the National Youth Service (NYS) programme, will continue to assist the provincial government's efforts to ease the burden of unemployment by providing necessary skills to the beneficiaries in the communities where programmes are running, the major target groups being the youth of Gauteng and people with disabilities.
The province has committed to providing 150 000 work opportunities by the end of this financial year through the EPWP. With the incapacities at laundries and boilers, the department is planning to drive massive EPWP on laundries in the form of cooperatives. This will cut across all GPG departments and Municipalities.
A conceded effort is being made to reach out to organisations of people with disabilities, with a view to incorporating them into all our programmes. Meetings between the department and organised structures representing these groups to form partnerships are ongoing.
Priorities for 2010/11
We want to focus the department's energies on big infrastructure projects that will contribute to economic development and assist the province to create work.
The department will remain focused on delivering on the commitment made in its Annual Financial Plan and implementing the recommendations of the Auditor-General. In this regard we have already ensured that all senior managers in the department have complied with the Public Service regulations by declaring their interests.
We will be submitting a Cabinet Memo to the Executive Council on the Property Management approach that seeks to bring an end to the impasse around the resolution of this matter.
A motivated and focused workforce is central to the achievement of our vision and programme. To this effect the approach will also be internally focused to ensure that all the other structural bottlenecks are immediately addressed so that everyone focuses on the real work at hand.
In pursuit of the mandate of this portfolio, and continuing from where my predecessor left off, we will be working closer with the Auditor-General with a view to making significant improvements on compliance related issues during the 2010/11 financial year.
For more information, contact:
Mr Philemon Motshwaedi (Spokesperson)
Tel: 011 355 5105
Cell: 083 648 6870
E-mail: Philemon.motshwaedi@gauteng.gov.za
