Response to an article in the Mail and Guardian, ‘Supra’s sneaky move to control billions’.
An article in today’s Mail and Guardian with the headline “Supra’s sneaky move to control billions" does not only seek to sow confusion in the minds of the people of Bokone Bophirima, but it also seek to paint an imaginary picture that the provincial government is on a mission to squander public funds channelled towards service delivery at local government level.
The article discredit the intended purpose of the shared services model as adopted by the Provincial Executive – contrary to the article, the shared service model is rather intended to provide support to all municipalities to deliver quality services and will focus on: sound financial management, good governance, infrastructure services and town planning, information technology communication (ICT), legal services and local economic development.
We also want to state that, as Provincial Department, we got a constitutional responsibility to support and strengthen good governance in our municipalities. We have also noted with great concern that our municipalities are struggling to recruit people with high technical skills, i.e. engineers to accelerate infrastructure development due their salary rating, therefore the Shared Service Model becomes part of the solution.
"All stakeholders were consulted and the matter was given the green light by the Bokone Bophirima Premier’s Coordinating Council (BBPC) which a structure comprising of MECs , Heads of Departments, Municipal Managers, Mayors, and Chief Financial Officers" said the MEC Fenny Gaolaolwe.
Enquiries:
Ben Bole
Cell: 071 566 1399
E-mail: MSBole@nwpg.gov.za
