Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane says the Gauteng Provincial Government has taken a number of measures to improve government efficiency.
Mokonyane was addressing delegates during the Gauteng Economic Recovery Summit at the Birchwood Hotel, Ekurhuleni yesterday.
Operation Bhadala which is the provincial government programme targeted at ensuring suppliers is not hindered as a result of government’s procurement processes is already up and running.
Late payments to service providers have been an issue that Mokonyane has taken up since she became Premier.
“Weaknesses in government systems, such as slow payments which affect small enterprises must be addressed,” she said.
To date R3 billion has been paid, with R1 billion more to come before end of year.
The key purposes of the Summit was to engage role-players such as business, labour, civil society and all spheres of government with the aim of agreeing on strategic interventions to create employment and conditions for accelerated growth and development in Gauteng.
The Premier told delegates that the summit is not just about short term measures to help the economy but also about helping those who are suffering most because of the recession this is our most urgent task. The summit also seeks to deal with long term strategies.
Mokonyane said in response to the recession they have prioritised infrastructure development, “which is simply not good on its own it is very important that infrastructure creates job opportunities,” she said.
In addition she said; the Gauteng Provincial Government has already begun to explore alternative options to raise funds for social infrastructure. Consultation with the finance industry has started and an announcement on alternative financing mechanisms will be made early next year.
Gauteng economic development MEC Firoz Cachalia also called for more cooperation and urged more public spending to stimulate the economy until a recovery was certain.
"We have good reason to be rationally optimistic," said Cachalia.
"The risk is to withdraw these incentives too soon."
Mokonyane said public spending had already saved jobs. She said R152 million had been spent on the auto-parts manufacturing and has saved 47 000 jobs.
"The recession is not what we planned for but we’ve found a fire and we have brought a fire engine to put the fire out," said Mokonyane.
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Gauteng Provincial Government
16 November 2009
Source: Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.gautengonline.gov.za/)
