By Thabo Mokgola
PROVINCIAL and Local Government Minister Sydney Mufamadi says there is a need for the national, provincial and local spheres of government to function as a single, integrated entity to built a flawless and efficient government.
He was briefing reporters in Pretoria this morning on the sidelines of an extended Cabinet to discuss the Intergovernmental Relations Framework Bill.
President Thabo Mbeki, Cabinet Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Premiers, Local Government MECs and representatives from the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) are attending the meeting.
President Mbeki announced in Parliament on Wednesday that the three spheres of government would meet today to consider the National Framework and Bill on Inter-Governmental Relations, and as part of government's review of its systems to improve functioning and enhance delivery.
The President said that the meeting would bring together the national government, premiers and some MECs, the South African Local Government Association and national and provincial Directors General.
"As we had indicated earlier this year, we have been reviewing our intergovernmental system to improve its functioning. The Minister of Provincial and Local Government will report on the outcome of this review process when it becomes available," said the President.
"In the meantime, we will continue to pay close attention to the effectiveness of the system of cooperation between national and provincial government effected through the regular and institutionalised meetings between Ministers and MECs, the Min-Mecs," he said.
The President said this was important because improving the efficiency and effectiveness of government's systems tasked with implementation must extend beyond the national sphere, to include provincial government as well.
The Intergovernmental Relations Framework Bill seeks to provide focus, clarity and certainty regarding core aspects of intergovernmental relations at the executive level of government.
"There has to be systematic coordination between the three spheres of government with respect to planning, budgeting and implementation...we will have to improve the performance of the organs of state," minister Mufamadi explained today.
He said improved coordination was essential for government to deliver basic services such as water, electricity and houses to the people and would optimise government's efforts to improve the lives of the needy.
Minister Mufamadi said coordination had been taking place - albeit to a very limited extent - and the system of intergovernmental relations in the country had been evolving since 1994.
"But the local government sphere only started to exist in the form that it exists only three years ago, which means that we will ensure that the local government sphere is so equipped that it can work in a better coordinated fashion with the two other spheres of government," he said.
The Act Intergovernmental Relations would demand decision and leadership, forging stronger forms of collaboration and partnership between spheres of government when needed.
It would also boost performance and accountability across the board, entrenching a service culture in the public sector, constituting core capability within the state and finding simpler, faster and more effective ways to get things done.
"National and provincial government have been helping the local sphere of government to grow and settle and now we feel that the three spheres of government are ready for this bill," said Minister Mufamadi. Source: - BuaNews
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