Mahikeng- Premier Supra Obakeng Ramoeletsi Mahumapelo has noted
contents of the article which appeared in City Press of Sunday 22nd
February 2015, regarding expenditure by various Government Departments on consultants.
“In the article the Office of the Premier and our Provincial Government in particular the Department of Public Works, are reportedly guilty of exorbitant expenditure on consultants” Office of the premier spokesperson Sam Mokaila said.
Mokaila said whilst Premier Mahumapelo welcomes public scrutiny on Government
spending and the role of the media and City Press specifically to inform
the public on these matters, they would like to state the following facts
in order to give context to the report:
1.The expenditure in question covers the Financial Year period and
contracts concluded by the 4th Provincial Administration whose term of office ended in May 2014.
2.The 5th Provincial Administration under Premier Mahumapelo has
not entered into any contract with any company to provide event
management services to Government.
In fact, the current Administration
has resolved to establish an internal Structure (Government, Events and Recreation Management Committee) comprised of Government Officials to coordinate and implement all events in the Province.
3.Premier Mahumapelo has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with
the Developmental Bank of Southern Africa, for the planning,
coordination and implementation of all major infrastructure projects in
the Province. Through this agreement, Premier has directed that DBSA assist Government to build internal capacity and ensure that all projects are delivered on time and within approved budgets.
4.Since October 2014, Government has adopted stringent cost
cutting measures which have been approved by EXCO and are being
implemented by all Departments.
5.To demonstrate leadership, Premier has ensured that all meetings
of his Office in particular are held in Government buildings and
facilities, and catering is provided by staff in the employ of
Government.
6.Premier has directed Departments to limit services for which
external service providers are required but rather to build internal
capacity to provide such services or use organised community structures
like cooperatives in order to reduce the costs whilst at the same time broadening the benefit net to the people.
7.In conclusion, on an incremental basis Government will start a
progressive process to take over services like provision of food in
hospitals and schools to be directly managed by respective Departments,
and in select cases organised and registered cooperatives will be utilised to provide these services.
“We would like to assure the people of Bokone-Bophirima and South Africa
in general that the Administration led by Premier Mahumapelo is alive to
the fiscal challenges and constraints in the economy, and will manage
public funds entrusted to Government with the necessary diligence its
requires. The Premier will give more detail on all measures adopted by
Government during his State of the Province Address on 6th March 2015,
at Mogwase Stadium in Moses Kotane” he said.
-TDN
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