BUDGET STATEMENT 2014
16
SUSTAINING GROWTH, SECURING PROSPERITY
In the interim, we have tabled proposals for
proportional representation on which debate
has commenced and we have instituted a
number of measures to improve the functioning
of these bodies, which resulted in the following:
• the Corporations implemented 969 projects
in FY 2013;
• the Corporations and the Ministry of Local
Government have paved approximately 1,147
local roads covering 200 kilometres; this, as
I understand, is the largest number of roads
paved or rehabilitated by Local Government
in a single year; and
• the Unemployment Relief Programme
assisted in delivering 550 projects, each of
which was valued below $500,000.
The small contracting sector was given an
opportunity to participate in the infrastructural
developmental
activities,
especially
in
rural areas.
PROCUREMENT LEGISLATION
Mr. Speaker, the issue of Government’s
procurement mechanism has been outstanding
for too long.Oncompletionof theBudgetDebate,
the Procurement Bill will be laid in Parliament.
However, structured discussions will continue
until the Bill comes up for debate. Regulations
to support the Bill have also been prepared.
The Bill emphasizes the commitment of the
Government to establish a transparent as well
as a developmental procurement process.
The Bill is the result of a Joint Select Committee
processwhich involved consultationswith public
service institutions and private interest and was
7. REFORMAGENDA
Mr. Speaker, I turn now to our reform agenda:
GOOD GOVERNANCE
CONSTITUTION COMMISSION
In 2010, a promise was made to review our
constitutional arrangement. Over the past year,
we engaged in a wide consultative process. Our
citizens in all walks of life participated in this
process.Guidedby this feedbackandby theneed
for effective representation, transparency and
accountability in all activities and participation
in matters which relate to our governance, the
Constitution Commission will provide, within
the next two months a framework of principles
and recommendations. This Report will form
the basis of our dialogue with all parties on our
future constitutional arrangements.
While this is proceeding, we propose to
accelerate two issues on our constitution
reform agenda. These are term limits for Prime
Ministers and the right to recall legislators.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Mr. Speaker, we have also provided citizens and
communities through a consultation process
over the past year with a forum for voicing their
views on local government transformation. A
White Paper on Local Government reform has
been prepared.
It outlines a local government framework which
will ensure that a more responsive, custom-
er-centred local government system will
be realised. This matter will be brought to
Parliament shortly.
