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Today marks just over two years since the current administration took office and set out to implement the Programme of Radical Transformation, Modernisation and Reindustrialisation (TMR).

During this week, through the Budget Votes the Gauteng Provincial Government will demonstrate that we have made progress in the implementation of the TMR programme.

MECs will provide evidence that government is on course in implementing our programme and moving Gauteng forward.

They will further outline programmes that this government will be implementing in this financial year to advance the vision of an integrated Gauteng City Region that is socially and economically inclusive.

In 2014, we established the Ntirhisano Service Delivery System, which represented a radical shift in the way government serves the people and engages with them.

Through Ntirhisano’s proactive and participatory approach to problem solving, we are restoring levels of trust and public confidence in government.

We have resolved problems and with communities identified areas of development. This has now become a model of how government must work.

Government will continue to spend more time on the ground solving problems with communities, unblocking delivery of infrastructure projects and getting the economy to work.

As part of on-going efforts to improve financial management and public accountability, we have introduced the Open Tender system.

The full value of tenders that have already been adjudicated through the Open Tender process since it was launched in 2015 amounts to R1.5 billion.

In this financial year, the Gauteng government will ensure that 60 percent of new contracts are awarded through the Open Tender process.

The payment of suppliers is also an area in which steady progress is being made. In the 2015/2016 financial year, 10 of the 14 departments paid 90 percent of their invoices within 30 days. In fact, nine departments achieved payment rates of 95% and higher; and three departments have put measures in place to pay suppliers within 14 days.

These improvements made in processing payments more speedily are assisting emerging businesses to grow and remain profitable.

As Premier David Makhura indicated during the State of the Province Address special attention is being paid to departments that have been lagging behind in payment of service providers on time. Education, Health, Human Settlements and Infrastructure Development will be turning around their performance in this financial year. Heads of Department will be held responsible and there will be consequences for non-performance in this area.

Government has already taken steps to improve the ease of doing business and cutting red tape. Progress is being made in reducing time taken by municipalities and provincial government to approve development applications. The waiting time has been reduced from 18-24 months to 90 days and government is committed to reducing this waiting time even further.

We are absolutely committed to running a clean administration that is accountable, responsive and transparent.

Following the release of audit outcomes for the province in the 2014/2015 financial year, Premier Makhura has made it clear that there must be firm leadership from MECs and consequences for poor performance on the part of Accounting Officers.

Public servants must be ethical and practice sound financial management. Action will be taken where departments and agencies show repeated poor performance.

We are also working with all municipalities to ensure that they improve on financial management and that they are able to account for every cent they receive.

Government is also taking decisive disciplinary action against officials found guilty of financial misconduct. I am pleased to announce an Integrity Unit has been established in the Office of the Premier. This unit will assist in co-ordinating anti-corruption activities across Gauteng.

The Governance Cluster team will also report on how the GCR has taken the lead in the modernisation of public services through the introduction of ICT in education, healthcare, community safety and general public services.

Government is establishing Gauteng City Region institutions that will facilitate inter-governmental planning, co-ordination, budgeting and implementation of major projects.

The process of establishing a Transport Authority, which will ensure effective and efficient management of Transport in the Gauteng City Region, is at an advanced stage.

As part of modernisation of the public service, we are investing in infrastructure and modern technology that will enable us to better serve our communities.

The province and municipalities are working together to layout broadband infrastructure throughout the City Region. The aim is to ensure that the people of Gauteng, who have access to communication technology, are able to interact and transact with government without having to travel long distances.

Two years ago we said service delivery will be the hallmark of this administration and the progress we have made thus far proves that we have stayed true to this commitment.

Issued by Gauteng Provincial Government