Parliament, Tuesday, 22 October 2024 – The Portfolio Committee on Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment has today adopted its Budgetary Review and Recommendation Report (BRRR) on the Department of Fisheries and the Environment as well as all its entities.
The committee was satisfied with the performance of all entities within the portfolio, which sat above 80% of the targets achieved. The committee further believes that all the entities are geared toward advancing the developmental agenda and service delivery as required by South Africans today.
The Chairperson of the committee, Ms Nqabisa Gantsho, said the committee is satisfied that it played its oversight role over such a stable portfolio, which has an immense responsibility to the country. “Yes, there had not been an improvement in the audit outcomes, but progress is being made on the identified challenges, as well as wasteful expenditure. The committee is encouraged by the progress made and therefore commends the 80% performance target achieved,” said Ms Gantsho.
The committee recommended that the Office of the State Attorney be consulted on matters related to material irregularities identified by the Auditor-General’s Office. In addition, the committee resolved to invite organisations in the disability sector to brief the committee on their efforts to help government departments achieve the target of employing people living with disabilities. The BRRR is vital for budget purposes and will thus be forwarded to the National Assembly for confirmation, and to the Minister of Finance for purposes of budgeting next year.
Meanwhile, Ms Gantsho, called on people residing in provinces currently experiencing bad weather to act cautiously during times of thunderstorms, strong winds, lightning and impromptu flash flooding.
“The challenges we face as a consequence of climate change must spur our youth into becoming innovators and designers of technologies that will sustainably counter the worst effects of climate change across sectors, like water, storm-water drainage, road infrastructure, human settlements, transportation,” she said.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON FORESTRY, FISHERIES, AND THE ENVIRONMENT, MS NQABISA GANTSHO.
For media inquiries or interviews with the leader of the delegation, please contact the NCOP delegation’s Media Officer:
Name: Mr Sibongile Maputi
Cell: 081 052 6060
Email: smaputi@parliament.gov.za
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