During this year’s last Executive Council (Exco) meeting at the Office of the Premier last Tuesday, it was highlighted that the state of affairs at Mogalakwena Local Municipality would be reviewed in six months’ time for the council to take informed decisions. This after shocking discoveries of poor governance made by the multi-disciplinary team tasked to conduct a rapid assessment at Mogalakwena Local Municipality in October.
Acting Provincial Government spokesperson Mamogo Ntuli revealed that the team had observed collapsed governance with lawlessness superseding legal prescripts, poor records management, illegal appointments of staff, non-compliance of supply chain management regulations and municipal policies within a volatile working environment.
It was further reported that the Exco had noted with appreciation the progress reported by the Department of Education in critical areas such as distribution of Learner Teacher Support Material, delivery of textbooks at schools which is currently at 99,1%, training of Early Childhood Development practitioners and appointment of 650 subject advisors. Ntuli indicated that winter enrichment classes had been conducted in 269 centres across all ten education districts in Limpopo.
She added that the province was still leading the pack with more than 90 000 learners enrolled for Mathematics, Science and Technology stream.
Ntuli stated that the Exco has approved the establishment of Infrastructure Technical Units in the Departments of Education and Health. The rationale behind this is to provide advisory services in complex projects such as construction of hospitals and sanitation programmes, she said and reiterated that the establishment of a Programme Management Support Unit in the Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure had been approved. Ntuli clarified that the unit would serve as an Infrastructure Strategic Professional Hub for the province which is to be a shared service.
She reported that with Limpopo roads being busier than usual at this time of year as visitors, migrant workers, holiday makers and pilgrims travel to and from the province, it was imperative that the Department of Transport and Community Safety be ready to deal with high volumes of traffic.
Story: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za
