Post EXCO media briefing statement, Kosmos Manor, Haartebeespoort Dam
The Executive Council (EXCO) of the North West government met yesterday for its normal monthly meeting to discuss progress made on various key issues relating to the implementation of the National Development Plan (NDP). The post EXCO media briefing which was held today was addressed by three Members of the Executive Council, namely, MEC Sello Lehari of the department of Education and Sport Development, MEC Wendy Nelson of the department of Finance, Economy and Enterprise Development as well as MEC Dr Magome Masike of the department of Health.
Key issues the EXCO resolved on include amongst others, the following:
1. Traffic college for the North West Province
The Executive Council approved a proposal for the establishment of a traffic training college in the province. The provincial department of Community Safety and Transport Management is entrusted with the responsibility to ensure that it deals with all administrative requirements that will pave the way for the introduction of the college. The details thereof will be communicated to the public once due processes would have been followed and finalised by the responsible department.
2. OR Tambo Public Service Excellence Awards
The Executive Council received and accepted progress report on the hosting of the provincial OR Tambo Public Service Excellence Awards which are to be held on 14 February 2018 at the Rustenburg Civic Centre. The awards ceremony is held to recognise and reward public service excellence in the delivery of services.
All the provincial departments have hosted their excellence awards ceremonies, which served as a build up to the provincial awards ceremony.
3. Closed out reports on South African Music Awards (SAMA), South African Traditional Music Awards (SATMA) and Mahika-Mahikeng Cultural Music Festival
The Executive Council approved reports on the outcome of the SAMA, SATMA and Mahika Mahikeng Cultural Music Festival.
The EXCO resolved that this year, the VTSD music awards should be held as part of a build up to the SAMA. The EXCO further appreciated significant improvement registered in the 2017 Mahika Mahikeng Cultural Music Festival. The festival was bigger and better, and should grow even bigger in 2018.
4. Training of Librarians in the province
The establishment of an academy of librarianship through Ikatisong School of Governance in the Office of the Premier has been approved by the Executive Council. The Department of Culture, Arts and Traditional Affairs (CATA) will lead the processes and will work with the Department of Education and Sport Development to ensure that schools that have libraries also benefit from the training.
5. Expenditure report as at the end of January 2018, including VTSD spending.
The EXCO approved the expenditure report which stands as follows:
- 68,47% for the period ending 8 December 2017.
- Infrastructure excluding Conditional Grants and including Conditional Grants at 69.41 percent and 62.27 percent respectively.
6. Greed, Crime and Corruption
The provincial government driven by its unrelenting commitment to good governance and intolerance for unethical behavior, greed, crime, fraud and corruption, initiated engagements with various chapter 9 and related institutions, for partnership against greed, crime, fraud and corruption.
As a result, the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), presented a progress report on matters that they are dealing with to the political and administrative leadership of government. The process as reflected in the SIU report was encouraging and consistent with the province’s determination to ensure good governance and ethical leadership in the province. Similar encouraging developments with regard to the mandate of the Public Protector are evident as reflected in the structural arrangement between the Office of the Public Protector and the province – and a further indication of the province’s resolve as amplified in the 2017 State of The Province delivered by Premier Mahumapelo.
EXCO noted and appreciated progress made in dealing with this challenge as part of Setsokotsane programme, especially the cases dealt with, instances of such occurrences and collaboration with relevant law enforcement agencies.
In this regard, EXCO resolved as follows:
- Remedial actions must be implemented with immediate effect in as far as matters relating to outcomes of investigation reports of the past, current and future on all infrastructure related projects with special focus but not limited to housing, roads, government building, transport services etc. This will also apply to all the provincial State Owned Entities and municipalities.
7. Progress report on the functionality of the Consumer affairs court
Consumer Affairs court was launched on the 24th March 2017 with the objective of ensuring that complaints that cannot be finalised by the Department are referred to it for consumers to obtain redress.
Since the establishment of the court, twelve (12) cases have been referred to the court.
- Five (5) cases were resolved at the initiation of the proceedings.
- Seven (7) cases were adjudicated by the court, four (4) have been settled and three (3) are still pending.
8. Progress report on the establishment of People’s Economic Growth Agency (PEGA)
The establishment of PEGA is informed by the Presidential Review Report on State Owned Entities (SOEs). Rationalisation of public entities is therefore in line with national government initiative.
PEGA services include:
- Loans and bridging finance to SMMEs
- Assisting SMMEs to register and facilitate training
- Establishment of the Special Economic Zone(SEZ)
- Publishing of the North West Economic Data Report and
- Projects Management
The merger process of the North West SOEs into PEGA, is to be completed in March 2018, and the merger will include amongst others, the NW Housing Corporation, Invest NW, North West Parks Board, North West Tourism Board. This process will result in the appointment of a single structure of board members, who will be responsible for the administration of PEGA in its entirety.
Enquiries:
Mr Brian Setswambung
Cell: 076 012 4501
E-mail: bsetswambung@nwpg.gov.za
