The big winner in this year's provincial budget is Roads and Public Works and the big loser is Health. The Roads Maintenance Grant has increased by 32%, from R1.034 billion to R1.369 billion and this is good for our economy. It's a ray of sunshine in the budget. Our big concern is around the Health Department which receives R15.66 billion. It sees a decline of 2.7% or R424 million in its budget. We are not convinced that the problems of accruals have been eradicated as the department is … [Read more...] about 2012 EC budget speech highlights a good news-bad news budget
east cape
East Cape State of the Province Address all about JOBS
The Eastern Cape hopes to create 116 958 jobs in the coming financial year, Premier Noxolo Kiviet said on Friday. Delivering the State of the Province Address, the premier said although the country’s unemployment rate had decreased, the provincial unemployment rate of 27.1% was still high. "However, we are pleased to report that out of a target of 94 504 job opportunities announced for Phase 2 of the Expanded Public Works Programme, a total of 110 472 work opportunities have to date been … [Read more...] about East Cape State of the Province Address all about JOBS
Complete Overhaul of EC Healthcare Needed
The Democratic Alliance notes, sadly with no suprise, the Provincial Treasury's demands that the Department of Health (DoH) cuts its budgetary expenditure by over R200 million. Year on year, the DA has warned departmental officials that unless they immediately implement financial austerity measures, the department would find itself in the position it is today. The cost cutting measures that have now been put in place are ones that should have been reviewed and considered years ago and now … [Read more...] about Complete Overhaul of EC Healthcare Needed
The Department of Roads and Public Works Has No Idea
In response to a parliamentary question by me to the MEC for Transport it was revealed that due to the transition of moving roads from the Department of Transport to the Department of Public Works "there was a non invoice tracking tool for contractors". For the response, click here. So in effect the province has no idea of what expenditure it paid to road contractors. This casual response is unacceptable and I will be following up with the Auditor-General to investigate this matter … [Read more...] about The Department of Roads and Public Works Has No Idea
Eastern Cape Public Servants Barred From Trading With Government
The Democratic Alliance welcomes the statement of the Premier of the Eastern Cape, Noxolo Kiviet, at the 25 August 2011 midyear provincial Legotla that the province will no longer allow Eastern Cape public servants to trade with the government. The DA over a long period of time has been promoting this policy shift in terms of our agenda of accountability. Last year in November I tabled private members' legislation, the Eastern Cape Business Interests of Employees Procurement Bill to this … [Read more...] about Eastern Cape Public Servants Barred From Trading With Government
Provincial Ladies Golf.
Provincial Golf : EC vs Border This weekend we will see Eastern Cape take on Border in an Inter-provincial Golf Match. Royal Port Alfred Golf Club will host the event on Saturday and Sunday, 13th and 14th August respectively. Saturday will be an Open 36 Hole Stroke Play Competition, open to any lady that would like to participate. Sunday will be exclusive EC vs Border in a Match Play Competition. They will play in four teams with Young Kim Daniels, captaining the A team. Match … [Read more...] about Provincial Ladies Golf.
East Cape Education Department Progress
Cabinet has noted progress in the implementation of high-level intervention measures put in place in the Eastern Cape Education Department, spokesperson Jimmy Manyi said on Thursday. Manyi said, following an ordinary meeting of Cabinet on Wednesday, that a task team comprising the Ministers of Justice, Basic Education (Angie Motshekga), Finance, Higher Education and Public Service and Administration would continuously "interact" to ensure that the turnaround strategy was successfully … [Read more...] about East Cape Education Department Progress
Intervention Plan for EC Schools
The Department of Basic Education has appointed a technical team comprising senior officials under the leadership of the director-general, to develop a problem analysis and draft an intervention plan for the Eastern Cape. Addressing the National Council of Provinces on Thursday, Basic Education Deputy Minister Enver Surty said the team will work collaboratively with senior counterparts in the Eastern Cape Department of Education. Surty said his department had consulted with the leadership … [Read more...] about Intervention Plan for EC Schools
