MOSSEL BAY NEWS - "I can happily state that I have witnessed no regression in Mossel Bay.
"What I have found, was evidence of competency, the stability of leadership, and the obvious availability of leadership by people with character," said the leader of the National Council of Provinces, MP Derrick America.
To ensure that provincial delegates to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) keep in touch with developments and the challenges facing local governments several delegates visited the Southern Cape this week.
Mossel Bay Municipality hosted the NCOP delegation on Wednesday, 18 September. Upon their return to Cape Town delegates will report on their activities to the NCOP to obtain new mandates on issues to be placed on the national agenda. The visit created the opportunity for the NCOP to ascertain and ensure that local governments adequately implement their service delivery mandate to their communities.
After several site visits to, among others the KwaNonqaba waste transfer station, the Mountain View housing project and a number of the ablution projects, the delegation was briefed on administrative issues such as vacancies; cash flow; debt collection; spending of conditional grants; water and electricity losses; water infrastructure maintenance; and impediments created by existing legislation to the functioning of municipalities and their mandate to municipal service delivery to communities.
Delegates were most interested in the development of the regional landfill waste facility and questioned whether it was feasible to use waste for the generation of electricity to offset the cost of waste management. Ultimately not enough waste is being generated in the Garden Route to warrant the investment in a waste to electricity plant.
The delegates expressed an interest in the municipality's efforts to establish a special economic zone (SEZ) and discussed the importance of the availability of a fully functional harbour, the petrochemical industry and the recent Brulpadda discoveries offshore of Mossel Bay.
"It is clear that Mossel Bay has capable and committed officials dedicated to optimally serve their community," America said in conclusion. He added that he was inspired by what the delegation had seen and learned during the day.
"I concede that there remain challenges. However, I leave inspired. I was touched by the caring nature of the leadership and the officials." America referred among others to the ablutions project, where facilities are being made available to people with disabilities.
"We need to govern with heart; I have seen the leaders of this town care for their people."
MP Cameron Dugmore (ANC) also stressed that, although his party is the main opposition in the province, it will remain a vigilant yet cooperative opposition.
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