In taking note of MEC Motlalepula Rosho’s Provincial Budget submission, the Democratic Alliance’s Spokesperson on Finance in the North West Province, Freddy Sonakile, was less than impressed by what he views as the MEC’s silence around issues of unemployment and service delivery. “Considering the dire state of poor governance, deteriorating service delivery and massive unemployment the province finds itself in, we expected MEC Rosho to table a people-centred budget geared towards improving service delivery, attracting investment to spur economic growth and job creation.” Sonakile said.

According the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the North West Province, through Freddy Sonakile, MEC Rosho’s budget failed to adequately address the funding of programmes announced by Premier Job Mokgoro in his State of the Province Address recently.

“MEC Rosha failed to stipulate clearly how the provincial budget will be utilisied to improve the daily lived realities of the people of North West. In her speech she paid lip service to economic growth, job creation, and the challenges faced by municipalities, but did not clearly stipulate how much it would cost, how long it will take, and when the people will benefit.” Sonakile said.

Sonakile’s concern is that amongst the important issues that require great attention by the province are those of Economic Growth as well as those of a stable government that delivers services. “Instead MEC Rosho proposed an Economic Growth and Jobs Summit, as well as an Integrated Infrastructure Planning and Implementation Lekgotla, be held in August this year, but we believe the time has come that summits and lekgotlas make way for firm action.” Expressed Sonakile.

“The time for talk shops are over. It now time for action.” He said

The DA is expected to interrogate each allocation to each department over the coming days and will table its alternatives during the debates that follow today’s tabling of the Appropriation Bill.

-The VIP Team

-DA NW Media