The Premier of Limpopo, Mr Cassel Mathale, has committed the provincial government’s intensified efforts to accelerating the provision of services to communities.
Speaking at the end of the two-day extended EXCO Lekgotla in Bela Bela on Wednesday, the Premier said there should be an increased sense of urgency in addressing the dire needs of the communities, especially on the provision of water and other socio-economic needs.
“Our major challenges still lie in areas of financial accountability, management of assets, and to some degree, there is lack of a sense of urgency in rolling out services to our people. In the past, we agreed that every tap that has been installed must produce clean running water. The fact that money is available and returned because it could not be spend whilst our communities are in dire need of services should never happen,” the Premier said.
“Although we are increasing the number of households with access to clean running water, many remain without water. We must also ensure that there is consistent provision of access to water. We cannot boldly claim progress on this subject when many of our people have access to water for only 30 minutes and only on certain days,” he stressed.
The Premier said service delivery centres that lack technical expertise to ensure that infrastructure grants are used must be assisted immediately.
He said failure to use the grant because of inadequate capacity must not be left without consequences. Therefore, those responsible must be held accountable for we cannot afford to fail our people because of incompetency.
According to the Premier there must be action against those who are neglecting their mandate, betraying our commitments, and failing the people of Limpopo, adding that “we should treat every moment as if we are on extra time”.
He further directed every municipality, department or parastatal has an immediate obligation to ensure that all critical vacant positions are filled by people with the required skills and commitment to service.
The Premier further commended Sekhukhune District for the creation of a Fresh Produce Market in the Sekhukhune District in particular Tubatse is a positive step in the right direction.
“The District must be commended for taking the lead in this regard. The IDC, a private investor, the district and local municipality are giving new meaning to local economic developed in a move that will benefit local farmers and consolidate our hegemony as an agricultural province” he said.
The lekgotla was attended by Members of the Executive Council (MECs), Heads of Departments (HODs), Executive and Local Mayors, municipal managers, heads of parastatals and national government departments based in the province.
