DWS tables its 2018/19 Annual Performance Plan to the Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation
Today 02 May 2018, the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) presented its Annual Performance Plan (APP) for 2018/19 to 2020/21 fiscal years to the Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation.
The APP reflects the strategic goals and objectives that the department endeavours to achieve over the period 2018/19 to 2020/21. The APP also provides an overview of the departmental programmes, i.e. Administration, Water Planning and Information Management, Water Infrastructure Development and Water Sector Regulation.
The 2018/19 APP was presented amidst significant water challenges facing South Africa. The following are some highlights of the DWS 2018/19 Annual Performance Plan;
- In a bid to curb excessive water usage by various sectors, water restrictions will remain in place across some municipalities. The Mangaung Metropolitan has been enforcing water restrictions since July 2015 and has exceeded its June 2016 target by 12.2 million m3 per annum.
- Consultations to develop National Water and Sanitation Master Plan (NW&SMP) were held earlier this year and the document is ready to be tabled before Cabinet for consideration.
- The Department envisages creating job opportunities through the implementation of infrastructure projects undertaken via the Regional Bulk Infrastructure Grant (RBIG) during 2018/19 Financial Year.
- As part of water sector regulation, DWS will continue to do compliance monitoring and enforcement to prevent and curb illegal water use. The recent joint enforcement operation between DWS and West Coast District Municipality during the release of water from Berg River Dam to Misverstand Dam was a significant case study of good Inter-Governmental Relations.
- The total DWS budget for the 2018/19 financial year is R15.5 billion and this comes from the main account. In response to DWS presentation, members of the portfolio committee raised some areas of concern; in particular the approach used by the DWS in collecting debt from respective municipalities. The members recommended remedial actions to correct the issues.
To further improve operational efficiency, Minister of Water and Sanitation, Mr. Gugile Nkiwnti will be driving 5 key pillars which comprise of National Water Resource and Service Authority,
National Water Resources and Services Regulator, Water Resources and Services Value Chain, Water Resources and Services Master Plan and Institutional Rationalisation and Organisational Alignment.
Enquiries:
Sputnik Ratau
Cell: 082 874 2492
