The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) is happy with the progress made by local municipalities in the uMzinyathi District in addressing issues raised during the Taking Parliament to the People which took place there in 2011.
Today, the NCOP was briefed by the Mayor of uMzinyathi District Municipality, local councillors, Members of the Provincial Legislature and officials from various government departments on what has been done since 2011.
Leader of the delegation, Ms Grace Boroto, said tomorrow the NCOP will conduct site visits to find out whether the presentations made today were a true reflection of what was happening on the ground. During the Taking Parliament to the People programme in 2011, local municipalities in the uMzinyathi District were identified as the poorest and least developed municipalities in KwaZulu-Natal.
Ms Boroto said although she was disappointed by the absence of Eskom and other senior officials from the province at today’s briefing. However, she was delighted that key issues such as lack of basic water, waste removal, poor health and sanitation facilities and unresolved land claims were being speedily addressed.
The NCOP’s Taking Parliament to the People programme was established in 2002 to enhance public education and public participation, as a means of strengthening democracy. The programme is based on the fact that the NCOP is crucial when it comes to overseeing cooperative government. Tomorrow, the NCOP will conduct site visits in Nquthu, uMsinga, uMvoti and eNdumeni local municipalities to assess what has been done to accelerate service delivery.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Leader of the NCOP Delegation Ms Grace Boroto, please contact:
Mlindi Mpindi
Cell: 073 197 1315
Tel: 021 403 2340
Email: mmpindi@parliament.gov.za
