In her quest to realistically assesses the impact in the implementation of the Local Government Turnaround Strategy (LGTAS) in which eleven (11) municipalities across the province were prioritised, North West MEC for Local Government and Traditional Affairs Manketsi Tlhape recently held a one on one engagement session with these prioritised municipalities leading up to the year 2014.
Starting off with the Naledi Local Municipality, MEC Tlhape said that these sessions are meant to give municipalities a chance to present her department with a clear and honest picture of the status quo of their affairs.
“We are not here to blame individuals or impose sanctions, we are here to get a gist on the state of affairs in this municipality and also assess its functionality in order for us as a department to have an idea as to how do lend a helping hand to ensure that the implementation of the LGTAS is a success. We want to assist municipalities in the province to map out a way in achieving its objectives of providing uninterrupted proper quality basic services to their communities”, MEC Tlhape said.
“Although we can all agree that Naledi Local Municipality has registered some significant improvement in the state of their affairs and the acceleration in the delivery of basic services, we also have to agree that there is still room for improvement and we are here to put our finger on the pulse and see if the municipality is on track towards achieving what it set out to achieve”, she added
Speaking on behalf of his municipality, Mayor of Naledi Local Municipality, Cllr. Langa Modise acknowledged that in order for his municipality to reach greater heights they aspire to, they need the support of both the provincial government. “We need the support from sector department on both financial and technical matters. We are able to deliver to our communities but we really need help on sustaining service delivery and improving its quality. We also call on to the private sector to come on board and engage with the municipality so that we can map out better ways to improve in the manner in which we conduct our business for the better”, Cllr. Langa said.
Furthermore, MEC Tlhape agreed that with the relevant support Naledi will improve further. She also warned the municipality to put in place stricter information management policies. “You need to derive ways to tighten the screws on your information management in order to contain the flow of information in your institution”, she concluded.
MEC Tlhape’s week long one-on-one working sessions will continue in Kagisano-Molopo, Mamusa, Lekwa Teemane, Tswaing, Ratlou, Ramotshere Moiloa, Kgetleng rivier, Ventersdorp, Mahikeng and Moretele local municipalities as prioritised in the LGTAS.
Enquiries:
Dineo Lolokwane
Cell: 072 542 8444
