For any institution to be effective and efficient in rendering services to its clients it must constantly examine its business operations frequently to minimise risks that can hinder its progress on service delivery hence the Internal Audit and Risk Management Unit conducted a workshop recently.
In outlining the importance of good performance by the department, Chief Audit Officer, Khokela Siqendu said “We convened this workshop to assess and prioritise risks that need to be managed in order to achieve vision, mission and strategic objectives of the department”.
The workshop attended by the department’s top and senior management, saw programme managers presenting their strategic risks and drawing wayforward to mitigate gauged risks.
Senior Manager in Buildings, Thomas John, highlighted risks which included failure to commence projects on time, failure to complete projects as per procurement plan, late submission of project list, collusion between service providers and project leaders, among others.
Acting Deputy Director General, Mzi Mafani said “It is costly to build roads in the Eastern Cape due to geographical landscape of the province which has hills, valleys and mountains. Because of this, the department requires grade 9 contractors on which there is only two in the entire province. The department is therefore forced to hire outside contractors with added budget”.
EPWP Chief Director, Quinton Mageza, alluded on the insufficient human resource capacity to manage large quantities of beneficiary data. “The department has inadequate and incomplete beneficiary data” said Mageza.
On Corporate Services, Acting Chief Director, Sibongile Somhlahlo, raised the challenge of filling vacant posts. She further said the situation is exacerbated by centralised system of appointing staff co-ordinated by the Office of the Premiers’ Provincial Co-ordinating and Monitoring Team (PCMT).
One of the issues raised sharply was the tussle against limiting or curbing accruals. As the financial year draws closer, programmes were advised to do everything to ensure all invoices are submitted to be paid on time.
The discussion further noted that the only way accruals can be eliminated was to follow realistic plans and disregard projects that arise without budget.
Director in Risk Management unit, Xolile Dike, appreciated the high level discussion and immense contributions from DRPW management in formulating the strategy.
“Government needs people who are committed and who can bring confidence to members of the public. DRPW management displayed the ability to bring that confidence. Due to well informed management of the department in dealing with issues, the workshop produced results as per expectations, concluded Dike.
By Sizo Gwarube
