The North West Provincial government has started a process to qualify and verify all debts owed by Provincial and National Government Departments to facilitate settlement of all outstanding accounts, Premier Supra Mahumapelo reported in his maiden State of the Province Address delivered on Friday.
Premier Mahumapelo said that the debt owed to municipalities is the biggest hindrance to local economic development.
Mahumapelo highlighted that in order for the intervention to work, systems within government will urgently be improved as part of enhancing turn-around time within which government pays service providers.
“We are going to take a firm stance against all government officials who fail to pay service providers within 30 days of successful delivery of services to government,” Premier Mahumapelo said.
Mahumapelo highlighted that the provincial government is also facing a challenge of some service providers not availing relevant documents on time.
He said that such service providers will be assisted by government, failing which they will have to be downgraded to incubation. The Premier reported that he has already asked for a comprehensive report of all outstanding payments within the entire government.
“If it is found that government officials may have acted negligently in failing to pay service providers in time, there will be serious and far reaching consequences,” he emphasised.
Enquiries:
Sam Mokaila
Spokesperson for the Premier
Cell: 082 559 7384
Tel: 018 388 1324
Fax: 018 388 3008
Email: smttumelo4@gmail.com
