Date: 23/07/2004
Source: North West Provincial Government
Title: H Yawa: Conclusion of regional departmental roadshow


MEDIA BRIEFING STATEMENT BY MEC FOR PUBLIC WORKS, HON. HD YAWA, MPL, ON THE CONCLUSION OF REGIONAL DEPARTMENTAL ROADSHOW, 23 July 2004

I am humbled by the warm welcome and cooperation that I have received from the Head of Department, Dr Lydia Sebego, the Executive Management of the Department, Regional Managers, District Managers and employees of the Department of Public Works since my appointment as the political head of the portfolio Public Works.

The Departmental Roadshow that we embarked upon as from the 15 July 2004 in order to engage Regional Management teams and public works employees on the implementation of the People's Contract, improving service delivery and preparing the ground for the roll out of the expanded Public Works were both informative and illuminating.

Throughout the four regions, the meetings were not complaints forums but focused on the challenges of improving service delivery to communities, improving the working conditions of employees and their role and contribution in the successful implementation of the People's Contract.

Having listened to ordinary workers at the coalface of service delivery, we are inspired by their commitment to a partnership with government to implement the People's Contract, improve the provision of services to communities and serve with renewed dedication and loyalty.

During the roadshow we also had the opportunity to be briefed on various projects in the various regions and managed to visit seven projects. As a department we are satisfied that our delivery programme is on track and that most of our projects will be delivered on time.

As raised in our Budget Speech on the 29 June 2004, we will be tabling before the Executive Council, a submission for the transfer of capital and maintenance budgets of the Department of Health and Education to the Department of Public Works in order to respond to requests for service from school governing bodies and communities.

We believe that the transfer of capital and maintenance budget from the two client departments will allow us to put the expertise and experience in construction, maintenance and project management at our disposal to the benefit of communities and stakeholders, enhance government's resolve to transfer skills to the unemployed youth, women and the disabled in order to fight poverty and create jobs.

As a Department we expect public works employees to rise to the occasion and be part of a caring public service.

In conclusion we wish to express our appreciation of the role of both electronic and print media in sensitising the public about the roadshow and trust that the partnership we have established will be developed further in the interest of our mutual responsibility to serve, educate and inform the South African public.

Ke a leboga

Lesiba Moses Kgwele
Tel:018 387 2447
Fax:018 387 2868
Cell: 083 629 1987
E-Mail: Lkgwele@nwpg.gov.za
Issued by: Department of Public Works, North West Provincial Government
23 July 2004