MEDIA RELEASE
MBOMBELA MUNICIPALITY
06 DECEMBER 2006
SUBJECT: EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING
The Executive Council discussed and approved the report on the Provincial Expanded Public works Programme (EPWP) from 2004-2006. In the 2004-05 financial year, the province created 15 453 job opportunities against a target of 10 000. In the 2005-06 financial year 19 150 job opportunities were created against the target of 20 000 plus 2017 created by respective municipalities. In the first quarter of 2006-07, 5040 job opportunities were created.
The Department of Public Works expressed concern at the downward trend in the number of jobs created by provincial departments including low budgeting.
As part of the intentions by the province to improve project planning and implementation and dealing with the challenges of under-spending, the National Treasury was invited to present an approach that was developed to enhance planning and implement projects in various categories. These include how to deal with Mega projects that may require additional funding from the National Treasury; improve infrastructure delivery both in terms of long-term planning and short-term delivery. Infrastructure delivery improvement programme provided a systematic tool that identifies and addresses capacity and skills deficiencies; and
The last presentation dealt with ways aimed at improving the under expenditure of infrastructure budgets, which included the alignment between infrastructure delivery cycle and the budget cycle.
The Executive Council supported the initiative by National Treasury and welcomed the fact they were working with the Provincial Treasury.
The Executive Council approved the following senior management appointments:
• Ms Regina Mhaule to the post of senior manager (director): transport administration and licensing in the Department of Roads and Transport
• Mr. January Mtsweni to the post of senior manager: overload control in the Department of Roads and Transport
The Executive Council continued their meeting on Thursday 7 December for a special Cabinet meeting focusing on taking stock on the progress made with regard to the flagship programmes that it has adopted with a primary aim to accelerate economic development in the province in the medium and long term. These projects that have been adopted by the Executive Council during the course of the year 2006 include: Economic development stimulation through Maputo Development initiatives, Moloto Development Corridor; stimulationg tourism through Heritage and Conservation; Accelerating access to water provision; as well Ensuring building Human resource capacity through the Accelerated Capacity Building flagship project.
In relation to the Maputo Development Corridor, the executive Council has decided to take the Corridor beyond the road and rail transport system that links Gauteng province and Maputo, but focus on the opportunity that this infrastructure investment could unleash. The executive council therefore spent time discussing the outcomes of previous studies and new innovations and opportunities that may be added and came to a conclusion that Petrochemicals, the stainless steel cluster, the tourism projects especially around Emakhazeni and Thaba Chweu Municpalities.
Agricultural activities along the corridor, including the space that the development of bio-fuels presents opportunities that Government will have to focus on unleashing in the next years up to 2009.
On the Maputo corridor, It is anticipated that on the completion of the feasibility study for the Moloto Development Corridor similar developments along the planned railway line will result in the creation of business opportunities and jobs particularly for the inhabitants of Kwamhlanga.
The Executive Council also discussed one of the high impact agricultural projects namely Masibuyele Emasimini, which will lead to massive funds being injected into the growing of macadamia, horticulture, sugarcane poultry and apple production. This will also result in the massive creation of jobs and business opportunities.
On the heritage project the main source of developing heritage sites for tourism routes and sites is based on the areas identified in the heritage research conducted last year. There is also a book that will be launched in February 2007 based on the research study. Other initiatives are the production of a film and DVD on the heritage and tourism opportunities for the province. There are plans to expose as the province the most ecologically and environmentally friendly area of the country.
In relation to accelerated capacity building in the province it is intended to capacitate the leadership and management of the province and local government in generic management and leadership competencies. This will enhance service in the province.
The water and sanitation flagship programme strives to accelerate the eradication of the backlogs to meet the water and sanitation target for 2010 in a sustainable manner.
Graca Machel briefly visited the Executive Council to express her gratitude for the excellent work the provincial leadership had done in building a befitting monument to her husband Samora Machel at Mbuzini.
The Mpumalanga Provincial Government would like to express its condolences to Mr. Mathata Tsedu editor of City Press and his family on a tragic loss of their son in a hijacking. It calls on South Africans to intensify their efforts to combat crime in the country.
Issued by the Communication Chief Directorate
Office of the Premier
NELSPRUIT
Contact Lebona Mosia at 082 5616465/+27 13 7662244 lmosia@nel . Mpu.gov.za