Parliament, Friday 13 October 2017 – The National Council of Provinces’ (NCOP) delegates urged for a detailed and well-structured socio-economic development projects report by the Intsika Yethu and Enoch Mgijima local municipalities of the Chris Hani District Municipality. The NCOP delegation came to this decision upon receipt of the in-depth presentation by the Executive Mayor of the Chris Hani District Municipality on Wednesday, Ms Kholiswa Vimbayo who presented a well-articulated report regarding the socio-economic development initiatives and activities in the district, particularly for the Ncora Agricultural Project that the NCOP delegation conducted an oversight visit on Wednesday, also presented on Shiloh Irrigation Scheme which the delegation visited on Thursday and these were the main socio-economic development projects for the NCOP delegation to conduct the oversight visits at. The Executive Mayor of Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality, Ms Lindiwe Gunuza-Nkwentsha, presented an elating presentation to the NCOP delegates on Thursday.
However, practical and commendable as these presentations were, the NCOP delegation registered some few concerns especially on public and private sector funding of these similar kind projects, hence the decision for the Chris Hani District Municipality to develop an all-encompassing and well-structured socio-economic development projects report. “It will help us for the district municipality together with all the relevant departments, public entities, officials and many of those involved to develop a systematic and formally-structured breakdown of the funding programmes and needs analysis report for all these socio-economic development projects,” said Mr Mandla Rayi, NCOP leader of delegation for the Chris Hani District Municipality.
The NCOP delegates were also concerned with how the key challenges of these projects were recorded as in their engagements in each of the sites with project leaders, beneficiaries and members of both the primary and secondary co-operative groups it evidently appeared that a number of challenges were not properly recorded. To this, Mr Rayi said, “We welcome the socio-economic reports, but one of our major focus is the challenges so that we are able to report back to the NCOP for a proper detailed consolidated report to be debated upon for possible short and long-term resolutions to be taken and the follow up thereafter in order to ensure a quick resolution to some of the recorded challenges. Some for office of the NCOP Chairperson, Ms Thandi Modise, to refer to the national government departments for the reaction of the relevant Ministers.”
Other than these stated concerns, the NCOP delegates were overall encouraged and impressed by the positive spirit and vigour by all involved in these projects. In his closing remarks, Mr Vusi Magwebu, one of the NCOP delegation members, said, “What we would like to re-emphasize is that we are here to do oversight, in particular to verify government and private sector funding. We want to see a breakdown of how these monies are spent. Audited financial statements must be availed to the NCOP delegation so that we assess and satisfy ourselves in order to recommend to the NCOP Chairperson for national government to inject more funding in the Chris Hani District Municipality where necessary. We are happy as the NCOP delegation. It all looks positive, job well done and keep up the good work,” he said.
The Chris Hani District Municipality is expected to submit the comprehensive socio-economic development projects report today, at the debriefing meeting with provincial leadership to report back on issues emanating from the NCOP Provincial Week and consideration of draft report to the Premier, MEC’s, Presiding Officers, Chief Whips, leaders of political parties, chairpersons, NCOP permanent delegates, SALGA and departmental officials.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF HONOURABLE MANDLA RAYI, NCOP LEADER OF DELEGATION FOR GROUP THREE
For media enquiries or interviews with the leader of NCOP delegation, please contact:
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