Two delegations from the National Council of Provinces are in the Eastern Cape to conduct oversight visits, with one team assessing municipal infrastructure in Nelson Mandela Bay and the Sarah Baartman region.
The oversight visit by the delegations covers road infrastructure, bulk infrastructure projects, and water and sanitation.
NCOP chair Zolani Mkhiva said the visit was important for parliament to check on the progress of rolling out infrastructure.
“We are here to ensure we encourage the executives of municipalities and the province to expedite infrastructure projects so we can get our country into a mode that will ensure job creation, poverty alleviation and economic inclusivity and participation,” he said.
“We want to see the Eastern Cape become a world-class city.”
Eastern Cape premier Oscar Mabuyane, along with district mayors of municipalities, met the delegations on Tuesday for an overview of projects under way.
They were also briefed on progress, challenges and possible solutions.
“This oversight is not just for us to see and listen, but about making necessary interventions where there is stagnation,” Mkhiva said.
He said they had not been briefed about the National Treasury withholding grant funding.
This is in relation to issues with the Mandela Bay Development Agency.
“I am sure it will come up later because we just met the leadership of the municipality and our visit is for three days,” Mkhiva said.
“We are here to intervene on anything.
“If funds are being withheld and that prevents service delivery, we will reach out to the finance minister [Enoch Godongwana] to unlock the funds.”
HeraldLIVE