The Free State Provincial Government considers the written response by the MEC of Public Works & Infrastructure, Mr. Sam Mashinini (MPL) to parliamentary questions on the renovations at Free State House during the 2011/12 financial year to be more than adequate in explaining how the Budgeted Public Funds were utilized.
It is clear from the statement that is issued by the DA that it is meant to tarnish the image of the Premier by dragging his name in the mud and misleading the public on how appropriated funds have to be utilized. The Budget for renovations was voted for as per the responsibility of the Department of Public Works & Infrastructure which must look after the good state and upkeep of public infrastructure and buildings that belong to government. The money that was used in the renovations was meant for renovations and not for any other thing.
The Free State Provincial Government is on record through its highly publicised Operation Hlasela campaign which is a defining feature of the integrated programme of action of government. Through this, we consult and report on regular basis to the citizens of the province in the various localities where they reside on the plans that the government is putting in place to alleviate their plight as well as to respond to their stated needs. The Free State Provincial Government works in a cooperative governance manner with the municipalities. As the Provincial Government implements its service delivery programmes, it consults with the municipalities so as to ensure integration between the provincial and municipal Integrated Development Plans.
Furthermore, through Operation Hlasela, the Provincial Government makes sure that it does not take for granted that it knows the needs of the people. The Provincial Government takes interest in further consulting with the municipalities through the Premier’s Coordination Forum and through the Government Integrated Lekgotla. To ensure that the service delivery plans are not elitist and that they respond to service delivery needs of the people an Outreach Programme is embarked upon to ensure that the people express their needs, are informed of the plans of government, find information and a way of participation these programmes. Indeed, without fear of contradiction, the Free State Provincial Government is certain that what it undertakes as service delivery programmes are based on the expressed will of the people and responds to the alleviation of their plight. This government knows where people live, how they live and what must be done to respond to their needs.
The Free State Provincial Government is not talking about wishes and what it thinks should be done. Government talks about and does what people have said they need and government simply responds to that by aligning the expressed needs of the people with service delivery programmes.
The service delivery programme of government is in line with the 5 Key Priorities that citizens are being engaged on through the State of the Province Address which responds to the clarion call of the President as expressed in the State of the Nation Address, then government departments further actualizes the grand plans of the Premier into deliverables by the various Departments. The Budget Votes of the Department are tabled and voted for in the Provincial Legislature. The Provincial government prioritises the creation of jobs, the creation of an attractive environment for investment, the partnerships with the private sector for creation and protection of jobs. The budget of the provincial government further prioritises public sector incentives for creation of opportunities for the youth and social investment in public infrastructure including provision of houses and other public amenities.
The Free State Provincial Government will not be deterred from forging ahead with plans that seek to restore the dignity of the people of the province and creation of economic opportunities for all. Systematically, the DA has been selecting issues and using the media to raise their issues thus undermining their inability to dictate the cause of action through the parliamentary processes. They asked questions in the Legislature and the government has obliged by making information available. They are now turning around to use this information falsely to depict government in a bad light. The funds that have been voted for in the presence and participation of the DA have been used to renovate the Free State House.
For further enquiries, please contact:
Mondli Mvambi, Free State Provincial Government Spokesperson
Cell: 082 043 3744
E-mail: mondli.mvambi@fspremier.gov.za
