MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Municipalities must listen to people

By

In reaction to President Jacob Zuma’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) in the National Assembly on Tuesday night, Minister Gordhan said municipalities need to listen to the people more and respond to challenges quicker.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Pravin Gordhan says his department will up the ante to ensure that local government works more efficiently.

He said this at a time when a number of municipalities have recently experienced service delivery protests that have often turned violent.

“[This] would be responding to people, listening carefully, responding with a greater sense of urgency, and making sure that when they raise a problem, we go sort it out instead of allowing it to accumulate over time,” he said.

The minister also said municipalities need to govern better and “follow the rules”.

“We need to make sure that we have competent officials and technical capabilities.

“In smaller municipalities and districts, we have to make a greater effort to get people like engineers and planners – particularly at district level – so that smaller municipalities can access those services,” Minister Gordhan said. – SAnews.gov.za

Editor: Note for the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality – listening to the people also extends to ratepayers who attempt to engage you in a proper and civilised manner and who do not resort to unlawful behaviour in order to be noticed.

[Tweet “Listening also extends to ratepayers who engage in a proper and civilised manner and don’t resort to unlawful behaviour.”]

The following two tabs change content below.
My Twitter profileMy Facebook profileMy Google+ profileMy LinkedIn profileMy Flickr profileMy Pinterest profile

Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.