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National government will continue to provide hands-on support to the Nelson Mandela Bay municipality in order to improve governance and administration in the city, President Jacob Zuma has announced at the conclusion of his meeting with the municipality and civil society in the city today, 15 April 2014.
 
President Zuma, accompanied by seven Ministers and a Deputy Minister, was in the city to assess progress made in improving governance and administration structures in the province.
 
The President underscored the support initiative led by the Minister of Finance Mr Pravin Gordhan and the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Lechesa Tsenoli to address the governance challenges.
 
The intervention entails a set of short term support measures agreed to in August 2013. These were structured into seven work-streams, namely: (i) Institutional Arrangements, (ii) Financial Management; (iii) Capital Project Management (Infrastructure); (iv) Governance, Administration, Forensic Investigation and Internal Audit; (v) Strategic Planning, Local Economic Development and Performance Management; (vi) Security Management, and; (vii) Legal and Litigations.
 
Partial progress has been made in each of these areas, and from January 2014, activities have been consolidated under the City Support Programme (CSP).This has emphasised the need for strategic fiscal, economic and developmental choices to be made to place the municipality on a more sustainable financial footing.
 
On the issue of the pending court case about electricity tariffs, there was agreement between government and civil society to discuss the matter constructively to search for a possible solution out of court.
 
‘’I am very pleased that despite challenges, the city remains resilient and capable of resolving its current governance and administration trap. The city already has some positive and encouraging developments such as the willingness of the business and civil society organisations to work with the municipality to effect change and improve the performance of the city," said President Zuma.
 
“Nelson Mandela Bay has a long history of turning adversity into success. The city has a rich history of struggle for freedom and democracy and has a lot to celebrate as we mark 20 years of freedom this year. The city has also done well over the years in rolling out universal access to basic services. We will work closely with the province and the city to help strengthen governance and put Nelson Mandela Bay on a better footing.
 
"There was a meeting of minds to work together to build this metro. Port Elizabeth is the hub and centre of the Eastern Cape economy and we have to make this city succeed. Ministers have made firm commitments and the implementation will be monitored closely," President Zuma said.
 
The President was accompanied by Premier of the Eastern Cape, Ms Noxolo Kiviet as well as Minister of Police, Mr Nathi Mthethwa, Minister of Trade and Industry, Dr Rob Davies,  Minister of Environmental Affairs, Ms Edna Molewa, Minister of Mineral Resources, Ms Susan Shabangu, Minister of Energy, Mr Dikobe Ben Martins, Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Lechesa Tsenoli, Minister of Human Settlements, Ms Connie September, Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr Bulelani Magwanishe, the Executive Mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay, Mr Nkosinathi Fihla and Provincial MECs.
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