PRIVATE SECTOR PLEADS WITH THE CITY TO GET THE BASICS RIGHT

The Integrated Development and Planning (IDP) consultative meeting with the business sector got off on a flying start on Tuesday, 7 November at the Alberton Civic Centre.

Representatives from the business sector who were given an opportunity to engage and give inputs on the city’s IDP pleaded with the city to get the basics right and accelerate service delivery to drive Gauteng’s manufacturing hub in the right direction.

“Whatever that is under your control get it right. Make sure that it works well, and service delivery goes on uninterrupted,” said Obed Nzimande from PFG. “Start by getting the basics right and everything else will fall into place and we can go back to being the manufacturing capital of the country.”

There was also a strong plea from the audience that township economy must continue to be prioritised as most businesses, especially shops, have been taken over by foreign nationals. There were also appeals to deal with the issue of crime and also for the city to aggressively attend to the issue of green energy.

“Get the basics right is a strong message that we are taking out of this session, and of course, we are prepared to do that which is expected of us as government.

“The private sector will be pleased to know that amongst the plans of steering the ship towards the right direction, the city is in the process of implementing a performance management policy.

This is to ensure that everyone who serves Ekurhuleni residents is accountable and understands what is expected of them,” said the MMC for Corporate and Shared Services and Leader of Government Business Ald. Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, who was the host of the gathering.

The purpose of this IDP review meeting is for businesses to reflect on the city’s long-term and short-term planning processes so that they can contribute meaningfully to the building of a better Ekurhuleni.

Another IDP consultative meeting will be held tomorrow at the same venue at 10:00.