South Africa News
Public Protector concerned by non-implementation of VBS report by Limpopo government
The Public Protector has expressed concern about the non-implementation of the VBS report by the Limpopo government.
Fourteen municipalities in Limpopo, North West and Gauteng irregularly invested more than a billion rand meant for service delivery in the defunct VBS mutual bank. Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane says all municipal officials who were involved in investing money into VBS need to be held accountable.
Mkhwebane addressed Limpopo Premier Stan Mathabatha and MECs in Lebowakgomo outside Polokwane, about the province’s non-implementation of findings in the report compiled by her office, during her ongoing public protector stakeholder roadshow.
The objective of the roadshow is to assess and monitor implementation of the remedial actions recommended by the Public Protector’s office in various cases. Mkhwebane says the Limpopo government must implement the VBS report and its remedial actions.
Mkhwebane says, “The VBS report has not been implemented by the province and the remedial action which was there is that the municipal managers were supposed to make sure that all the relevant officials who were involved in investing the monies into VBS bank are held to account. The MEC is supposed to follow up and receive the quarterly report on how the money which was utilised will be recovered.”
Limpopo PP’s office dealing with numerous complaints
She says the Public Protector’s office in Limpopo is dealing with more than 100 complaints, mainly related to maladministration. She says there are 88 complaints of maladministration and three related to corruption which are yet to be resolved.
“We have a total number of 107 complaints or matters which are still active fourteen of those relate to service delivery complaints, three of those relate to corruption, 88 of those relate to maladministration. It involves abuse of power, abuse of state resources and behaviour of a public servant,” says Mkhwebane.
However, Mathabatha says the provincial government has been implementing the remedial actions from the VBS report.
Mathabatha says, “We also want to implement the remedial action but it is just impossible to do so because of the availability of the resources. I want to commit this government, we will always cooperate with your office, the VBS issues we have tried, we have done everything. What is left is in the hands of law enforcement authorities both from the government and the ruling party. We have done everything.”
MEC for Co-operative Governance Basiko Makamu has appealed to Mkhwebane to consult all stakeholders when preparing reports.
Makamu says, “I think you want to be popular by issuing a lot of reports but the reports will also be fine when they have resolved the issues because that is the main thing that we should be able to care but I think there are a number of things that we are engaging premier, your VBS report we are working on as the department.” Limpopo is the seventh province to be visited by Mkhwebane as part of the ongoing roadshow.
Source: News365
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The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has called for transparency, accountability and the elimination of unnecessary expenditures to cut down on the cost of governance in the country. Akpabio made the call on Monday at a one-day dialogue on the cost of governance in Nigeria organized by the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies, NILDS, in Abuja.
Akpabio, who was represented by Sen. Agom Jarigbe (PDP-Rivers) highlighted the possible factors contributing to the high cost of governance in the country.He said the size of the country’s bureaucracy, the escalating public service wage bills, the overhead costs of appointed public officials, and the salaries and allowances of elected officials are major factors.
According to him, the running of government institutions among other substantial components contributed to weighing down the economy and hindering development efforts. Let us hold ourselves accountable and take responsibility for the betterment of our nation. We have to ensure that our government operates efficiently and effectively, serving the needs of the people and fostering sustainable development,” he said.
The president of the senate emphasized the need to streamline bureaucracy, eliminate unnecessary expenditures, and ensured transparency and accountability at all levels of governance. We must invest in our human capital, empowering our public officials with the necessary skills and knowledge to drive progress.
“And we must foster a culture of innovation and creativity, where new ideas can flourish and transform our nation,” he said.Akpabio urged all Nigerians to remain united, become agents of change and be committed to making sacrifices for the nation. He said that the 10th Assembly was ready to partner with all stakeholders to do everything within its constitutional powers to make Nigeria for all citizens.
Source: pmnewsnigeria
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The senior pastor of Awaiting The Second Coming Of Christ Ministry, Adewale Giwa, on Sunday, lamented that the economic situation in Nigeria has gone from bad to worse under President Bola Tinubu.
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Manchester City 0-0 Arsenal. Manchester City and Arsenal handed Liverpool the advantage in the Premier League title race as they played out a bitterly disappointing goalless stalemate at Etihad Stadium.
Liverpool are now top of the table and two points clear of Arsenal after they came from behind to beat Brighton at Anfield, their delight increased by their two closest rivals cancelling each other out.
This was a game that made a nonsense of its billing as a potential classic, as Arsenal’s containing tactics snuffed out City while the Gunners had only limited chances of their own in a desperately poor affair.
Nathan Ake had an early close-range header saved by Arsenal keeper David Raya before going off injured while former City striker Gabriel Jesus posed an occasional threat, just failing to connect with Bukayo Saka’s cross inches from goal after the break.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta will be happier than City counterpart Pep Guardiola with this outcome – but the real winners were Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool.
Guardiola’s side were under greater pressure to win this match but their usual fluent passing game was rarely in evidence, stifled by the visitors’ organisation and infuriated by referee Anthony Taylor’s reluctance to punish the Gunners for a succession of infringements.
It led to a scrappy, disjointed game in which City were never allowed to gather their usual momentum and rhythm, with even the best efforts of master creators Kevin de Bruyne and Bernardo Silva unable to carve out meaningful opportunities for Erling Haaland, who was kept on the margins throughout.
The hosts held sway in possession for most of the second half but it was illustrative of the game that Raya barely had an anxious moment, his counterpart Stefan Ortega also idle for long periods.
Indeed, it is the first time City have failed to score at home in the Premier League since October 2021, a run of 47 games.
The reigning champions, as usual, will remain confident of retaining their title but Guardiola will be bitterly disappointed at his side’s failure to trouble Arsenal, with substitute Jack Grealish on the end of some lengthy post-match advice from his manager.
City are back here at Etihad Stadium to face in-form Aston Villa on Wednesday night knowing they cannot afford any more slip-ups in this tight Premier League title pursuit.
Arsenal arrived at Manchester City with a point to make and a chance to show their improvement at a ground where they have had a miserable record in the past.
The Gunners last won here in January 2015, drawing one and losing eight of their subsequent nine visits before this game.
Here, Arteta set his side out to be fiercely drilled and well-organised to frustrate, a strategy seemingly designed to earn the point they secured rather than risk more for victory.
It was a conservative approach but what it did demonstrate was that Arsenal do have more resilience and character than on previous occasions, when they have sometimes capitulated under City’s attacking assault.
Arteta’s side were composed but also willing to throw bodies on the line when danger threatened, not that they were ever in serious peril of conceding – a tribute to their display in itself.
They have kept clean sheets in both games against Manchester City this season, making them only the fourth team to shut out a Guardiola side twice in the same season.
Whether this is one point gained or two lost remains to be seen, but Arteta seemed satisfied enough at the final whistle.
source – BBC