The Gauteng Executive Council in its last meeting, which took place on Wednesday 22 July 2015, deliberated on a range of issues affecting the province.
These included the inaugural Gauteng Infrastructure Investment Conference, the upcoming Ntirisano Service Delivery Roadshows, the subsidised bus services in the province, the procurement strategy in support of township economy revitalisation and the Women’s Month programme.
Gauteng Infrastructure Investment Conference
- The Executive Council noted with appreciation the successful hosting of the inaugural Gauteng Infrastructure Investment Conference on 16 -17 July 2015.
- The aim of the two day conference was to promote mutually beneficial and transformative partnerships between government and the private sector to address the infrastructure needs and transform Gauteng into a globally competitive City Region and a preferred destination for investment and tourism.
- The Executive Council welcomed the commitment by the private sector to invest in public infrastructure projects.
- The GIIC was attended by more than 1 000 delegates representing private sector companies, government and state enterprises. More than 90% of participants were from the private sector.
- The next Infrastructure Investment Conference will take place on 27- 28 July 2016.
Subsidised bus services in the province
- The Executive Council approved a plan by the Department of Roads and Transport to address the issue of subsidised bus services in the province.
- Following the decision by Putco to withdraw services on certain routes in Gauteng, the Provincial government enlisted the services of Autopax as a temporary measure to ensure continuation of public transport services for the commuters in the affected areas.
- The Department of Roads and Transport will as soon as possible be publishing a tender inviting bus companies to submit proposals to service the routes that were left by Putco. The tender will, in keeping with Gauteng Provincial Government’s commitment to transparency and good governance, be adjudicated openly.
- Contracts for all the other routes in the province have been extended by three years.
- An elaborative study will be conducted to inform new policy considerations for subsidisation of public transport.
GPG procurement strategy in support of township economy revitalisation
- The Executive Council approved the GPG procurement strategy to support the Township Economy Revitalisation Strategy.
- The strategy seeks to create an enabling environment in which township enterprises have access to markets through government and private sector procurement.
- The procurement strategy is based on the following pillars:
- Revised government procurement guidelines and training for township enterprises and procurement units
- Increased awareness of market access opportunities for township enterprises
- Increased procurement from township enterprises; and
- Higher level of local content in township and mainstream markets;
All Gauteng Provincial Government departments and entities will be required to set aside 12% of their total procurement for goods and services for township enterprises.
Roadmap to strengthen government institutions in support of vision of Transformation Modernisation and Reindustrialisation
- The Executive Council approved the Roadmap to strengthen government institutions in support of the vision of Transformation, Modernisation and Reindustrialisation.
- The roadmap will ensure that all public servants within the Gauteng City Region are well equipped to deliver on the TMR programme, ensure integration of the GCR and drive clear and effective governance in the province.
- The governance and planning roadmap is centred on four key principles:
- Balanced and integrated GCR and intergovernmental planning coordination and development;
- A dynamic, proactive and responsive government that demonstrates good governance and the highest levels of service delivery;
- A skilled, capable, disciplined and performance orientated Public Service that inspires confidence and implements the TMR agenda; and
- Intergrated, connected, efficient and smart Public Service systems and processes that support effective service delivery.
Ntirisano Service Delivery roadshows:
- In keeping with the current administration’s commitment to be an activist and responsive government, the Premier and all members of the Executive Council will visit various parts of the province to unlock service delivery blockages and resolve problems.
- The roadshow re-emphasises the principle of people centred and solution oriented government. There will be high level interventions by the Premier, MECs, Mayors and MMCs to unblock service delivery and resolve problems affecting local communities.
- Premier David Makhura led the first visit to Hammanskraal on 13 July 2015 and the next visit will take place in Soshanguve on 2 August 2015.
Women’s Month
The Executive Council approved the programme for the Women’s Month. A range of activities celebrating women in Gauteng have been earmarked for the month of August. These include, amongst others, a memorial lecture to honour veterans who have contributed to the struggle for liberation and regional dialogues with women on issues affecting them and women’s economic empowerment through capacity building.
More details of the programme will be announced on 1 August 2015.
For media enquiries contact:
Thabo Masebe
Cell: 082 410 8087
E-mail: Thabo.masebe@gauteng.gov.za
