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The establishment of a first of its kind shared-service centre model and immediate implementation of a ward-based planning approach are some of the strategic issues raised sharply at the two-day Provincial EXCO Planning Lekgotla, which are viewed as practical ways of responding to the needs of North West communities.

The Planning Lekgotla which was held at the Rustenburg Recreation Centre this week also placed high on its agenda feasible approaches to unblocking opportunities for sustainable infrastructure development, this in line with the objectives of the National Development Plan.

The Lekgotla which was chaired by Premier Supra Obakeng Ramoeletsi Mahumapelo and facilitated by the Acting Director-General Prof. Job Mokgoro, acknowledged amongst others, challenges experienced in the delivery of water and sanitation, housing, roads and households electrification in the province.

For the first time in our province, we must concentrate on integrated planning and implementation of services per ward, and link this with the shared-service centres which we must establish at all the Districts. This should enable the provincial government to unambiguously and confidently explain its service delivery plans to the community, who must be part of the planning process”, Premier Mahumapelo insisted.

In this regard, the Planning Lekgotla noted the progress registered in organising ward-based planning summits that are currently underway at all local municipalities, this in line with the strategy to integrate municipalities’ Integrated Development Plans (IDPs) and the provincial Departments’ Annual Performance Plans (APPs), for improved delivery of services.

The functionality and efficiency of municipalities in the Province came under spotlight as the EXCO Lekgotla applauded the positive performance trends shown in the 2013/14 audit outcome. In this instance, the most improved municipalities and those that have consistently obtained unqualified audit outcomes were presented with trophies and certificates, this in recognition of their efforts to run government efficiently.

“These good governance efforts must be equal to the service delivery impact on the ground, hence the decision to compel all municipalities to regularly report on implementation of the Back-to-Basics programme”, maintained Premier Mahumapelo who urged municipalities to also have tangible plans on how they are going to localise the objectives of the National Development Plan.

To give uncompromising attention to the housing delivery challenges in the Province, the Lekgotla resolved to soon convene a Housing Summit which will amongst others address issues relating to housing backlog per ward, systems to curb illegal occupation of land which often results in establishment of informal settlements, and clearing up of the provincial beneficiaries’ list.

Moreover, the EXCO Planning Lekgotla resolved that focus must be given to finding alternative funding strategies for roads infrastructure over the next three years, this in view of the financial pressures faced by the province against the work that must be done on the provincial roads.

To improve on the water supply and sanitation challenges province-wide, the need for the Province to continue working closely with partners such as the Department of Water and Sanitation in developing a focused programme for eradication of the bucket system, was emphasised. Equally, the Lekgotla reaffirmed the Provincial Government’s intent to forge sustainable partnership with institutions such as Magalies Water and Sedibeng Water in fast-tracking the implementation of the Water Master Plan.

Premier Mahumapelo emphasised the importance of strengthening the monitoring and evaluation function in the Office of the Premier and resourcing the operations of the House of Traditional Leadership as strategic role players in social cohesion and nation building.

The Lekgotla was attended by Members of the Executive Council, Mayors, Heads of Departments, Municipal Managers, Chief Executive Officers of State Owned Entities, representatives from national Departments of Water and Sanitation and Rural Development and Land Reform, the Development Bank of Southern Africa, SANRAL, Eskom and the Chairperson of House of Traditional Leaders.

Issued by North West Office of the Premier