MBOMBELA – The MEC for economic development Mr Eric Kholwane recently reiterated that the department had not been happy with the performance of the Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA) before disbanding its board.
Kholwane was responding in legislature to questions put to him by Mr Anthony Benadie, DA MPL, about MEGA’s interim board during an oral-answering session. “If I had been satisfied I would not have acted. We are improving coordination by the department in engagement in parastatals. The department was fairly weak.”
Kholwane said R56,8 million had been spent by the agency on bulk-water infrastructure to date, including on contractors and consultants for various projects. Aside from the three projects MEGA would continue with in Nkomazi and Lekwa, the others had been returned to the local municipalities which the MEC said were expected to enter into contracts with Rand Water.
The MEC said the provincial administration had decided to remove those projects which were not at around 80 per cent completion from the agency and give it to Rand Water “to accelerate the pace of implementation”. He added that it was already bearing fruits in fast-tracking projects.
Asked about the financial implications this might have, Kholwane said agency fees were likely to increase. “But delivery will be faster. Rand Water is more robust, has more resources and an impeccable track record.”
Regarding MEGA, Khowane said it should have only a few priorities. “It must focus where it matters. We are not happy at all about how MEGA has been performing.”
