Premier Mabuza will no longer tolerate roll overs of budgets
24 July 2012
Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza has come hard to his Cabinet and heads of departments in the province saying financial roll overs would no longer be accepted.
Speaking in Skukhuza inside the Kruger National Park during the Executive Council Planning Lekgotla which is mainly attended by all members of the executive council, heads of departments, executive mayors and chief executive officers of provincial parastatals,
Premier Mabuza said there would be consequences for under-spending.
In the financial year, which ended on March 2012, Mpumalanga province underspent by R574 million and according to Premier Mabuza it was unacceptable.
Although the province had commitments of R753 million, according to the Premier, accruals negatively impacted on the spending of the following financial year.
“As from this financial year, no more money will be taken back to Treasury. There must be consequences as to why departments fail to spend the money they budgeted for according to their plans.
“It is unacceptable that we underspend while our people out there are desperate for services. This government was voted into power by the poor masses of this country who have hope in the ruling party that it would change their lives for the better, therefore the people who are working for this government must change their attitude and prioritise the people,” said Premier Mabuza.
Mabuza said he was dismayed by government officials in the manner they delivered services to the public, saying they failed the ruling the ruling party.
“As a government, the manner we are delivering services is not to be desired for, it is not correct. Our processes are long, and when we deliver the services, they are in most cases very shady; they are not informed by the needs of our people.
“It is my humble request that let us change our attitude in the manner we do business with our people. Let us ensure that we plan properly and budget accordingly. Let us make right choices which will make a difference in people’s lives,” said Mabuza.
The Premier also came hard on the lazy heads of departments saying they constantly asked for leaves of absence and raised petty excuses.
“I do not expect the heads of departments to waffle; they know what is expected of them. If we can commit ourselves and focus our energies in delivering the services, I am sure that together we can do more for our people,” said the Premier.
He stressed that the two-day Provincial Planning Lekgotla would be looking at the financial and non-financial performance months, paying special attention to among others the execution of plans, management of cashflow, spending with regard to infrastructure grants, payments of service providers within thirty days and mostly important the ever soaring bill of compensation of employees.
It will also look at the assessment of performance on the first quarter targets as set in annual plans.
The Lekgotla is also expected to look at long-term planning with a view of reaching consensus on the broad issues that must guide the provincial planning agenda.
Enquiries:
Zibonele Mncwango
Spokesperson: Mpumalanga Premier
Tel: (013) 766 – 2453
Mobile: 079 491 0163
E-mail: zmncwango@gmail.com
Issued by the Office of the Premier, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
