Adoption of Reports and Committee Minutes: consideration

Meeting report

PUBLIC WORKS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
28 March 2006
ADOPTION OF REPORTS AND COMMITTEE MINUTES: CONSIDERATION

Chairperson: Mr F Bhengu (ANC)

Documents handed out:
Study Trip Report
Committee Minutes: 7, 9 and 22 March 2006

SUMMARY
The Committee met to adopt study and oversight reports and committee minutes, and noted that the accuracy of minutes and reports had to be improved. The Committee had to maintain effective oversight over the Department and engage the Executive on policy decisions. The second economy had to be developed to provide necessary employment opportunities and address inequalities. Three committee minutes were adopted. A report on a study trip to Manila and London was considered.

Members made several comments, including on the need for enhanced oversight to monitor policy implementation, an improved working relationship between the Committee and the Department, a request for information from the Department on pending resignations of key executive positions, a proposed Ministry of Physical Planning to drive infrastructure development, the benefits of footbridges over rivers and the need to include local government in infrastructure development projects.

MINUTES
The Chairperson referred to the oversight trip report and the need to include a proposed amendment. He noted that the Committee support staff had to provide sound assistance to the Committee. A member had raised an objection on a particular aspect of the report. The Committee decided to make an amendment to the report to correct the misrepresentation. The earlier formulation and the amendment were both reflected in the latest report. Discussions would be held with the Speaker of Parliament regarding the type of support received from the Committee section. The report had to be withdrawn and re-tabled. Reports should be read by Members after tabling to ensure accuracy. A letter of complaint had been sent to the Committee section. The standard of report-writing had deteriorated in recent times. Errors generated negative perceptions about Parliament and the relevant Department. The public wanted to see progress in addressing social needs and infrastructure development. Members had to maintain effective oversight over the Department to avoid the "comfort zone" phenomenon. Members should engage the Minister and Department on policy decisions. The Department continued to be a challenge to the Committee in terms of oversight. Issues such as the second economy and the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) were key areas of concern. The Committee had to produce meaningful recommendations to government and follow up on the implementation of such recommendations. Recommendations should be based on constructive criticism.

Mr S Opperman (DA) referred to the recent speech made by the Minister of Finance regarding oversight by Parliament to ensure positive outcomes. He regarded it as one of the most important speeches in recent times.

The Chairperson asked Members to consider the committee minutes. The minutes of the 7 March were adopted without amendments.

Committee Minutes-9 March 2006
The Chairperson stated that Committee membership should be reviewed on a quarterly basis to ascertain attendance records. Members had to debate the Property Charter before making constructive comment. Civil society groups also had to submit comment on the Charter. The Charter was a memorandum of an agreement. The minutes were adopted without amendments. The Construction Charter had been signed the previous week.

Committee Minutes-22 March 2006
Mr N Magubane (ANC) asked whether the Department should inform the Committee of the departure of the Director-General (DG) from office.

The Chairperson acknowledged that the Committee had not formally been told of the resignation of the DG. He understood that the DG’s contract had expired.

Mr Magubane reiterated that Members should have been formally notified of the resignation of the DG.

The Chairperson noted that the Department had many vacancies at this juncture and the issue had to be addressed. The matter would be discussed at the next meeting with the Department. Necessary skills had to be acquired to drive development.

Mr Opperman referred to a recent policy speech made by the erstwhile DG that mentioned a new era in the Department ‘s history. However, the DG in question had departed shortly afterwards. The issue had to be discussed with the Department.

Mr Blanche highlighted past approaches where Portfolio Committee Chairpersons had attended the appointment of Director-Generals. Chairpersons had also been involved in decisions to rescind contracts or allow for resignation. He proposed that such a practice be continued. Members had to be aware of reasons why a resignation had been tendered.

The minutes were adopted without amendment.

Study trip report to Manila and London
The Chairperson stated that local government had to be included in all initiatives to provide infrastructure to uplift lives. For example, provincial and local government had to play a role in constructing bridges to allow school children to access schools over flooded rivers. The Minister of Finance had indicated that financial resources were available to facilitate development but certain Departments had to be identified as key drivers of projects. Key departments had to drive the EPWP to ensure success with appropriate and clearly identified timeframes.

Mr Magubane asked whether facilities such as schools could not be erected on the other side of rivers to prevent the need to risk lives to attend classes.

The Chairperson responded that the problem usually lay with demographics in that most residents would be situated on the other side of the river and hence the need for facilities in that location. Bridges would also be a cheaper option than more extensive infrastructure.

Mr Blanche suggested that a Ministry of Physical Planning be recreated to address infrastructural weaknesses. The Philippines had introduced a highly successful project to create links between many islands to drive economic development. Footbridges could be constructed in South Africa at relatively low cost and have wide-ranging benefits. Local industry could be utilised to erect structures. Provincial Premiers should be involved in orchestrating such projects and transferring skills to the local population. The World Bank had been involved in the Philippine project and the benefits of a similar project for South Africa should be explained to acquire financial support.

The Chairperson concurred that provincial governments had to be involved in infrastructure projects.

Mr Blanche recommended that the Department of Provincial and Local Government be directly involved as provinces had to deal with development planning. All role-players should be involved at the local government level.

The Chairperson declared that the Committee would identify appropriate role-players to drive the infrastructure development programme. Financial resources were available and should be utilised in an optimal manner. The report was adopted.

The meeting was adjourned.