Following the recurring financial problems at the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA), the MEC for Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Mr Mohlalefi Norman Mokoena has announced the appointment of consultants to conduct a State of Records Account (Governance Audit) at the agency.
“I’ve appointed a firm of Accountants, Diale Maphothoma and Associates to make an assessment of the financial management, governance and compliance environment at the MTPA. The investigation of the consultants is meant to assist the department with an in-depth understanding of the problem statement that continues to negatively impact on the ability of the agency to effectively fulfill its mandates,” announced MEC Mokoena.
Amongst others, the consultants will access the source of the financial shortfalls to ensure that similar problems are not encountered henceforth. The brief also includes an assessment of the revenue generation capacity of the agency.
“We acknowledge that there are problem at the MTPA, hence it is important that we must get to the bottom of the problem so that we can address the root cause. The investigation will study the funding model of the MTPA from the time of its inception in 2005 to-date.
They will also look into the effect of the transfer of the tourism development and conservation functions from our department, the Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Administration, and Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism in 2006, 2007 and 2009 respectively on the funding model,” added MEC Mokoena.
The MEC has also indicated that he is open to any alternative funding model that will enable the MTPA to be a self sustaining development agency, able to finance the bulk of its operations in the fulfillment of its mandate.
