Page 30 - Service Delivery Review

National Development Plan and State Capacity Conference

According to the NDP, the mismanagement of infra- • We must always take a step back and ask,
structure projects robs the country of the expected will the results of these indicators produce
return on investment and jeopardises the country’s the desired outcomes - will the citizens feel
economic recovery efforts. Failure to apply the most the impact of these outcomes?
fundamental project management principles has
hampered many infrastructure projects, resulting in Performance monitoring
white elephants (completed infrastructure that has
not been commissioned or used), delayed or aban- • We must reinstate the in-year reporting,
doned projects, cost overruns, and shoddy work. monitoring, and effective correction disci-
Furthermore, the inability to manage infrastructure plines to realign performance with the plans.
has a human cost. It ranges from the inability of avail- • Prioritise interventions that address system-
able facilities to meet the growing demand for health ic weaknesses in key service delivery de-
services to learners continuing to be deprived of suit- partments such as health, education, human
able and safe learning environments due to school settlement, water and sanitation, transporta-
renovation delays.
tion, public works and law enforcement.

Recommendations • Implementation of consequences, even if
funds are mismanaged.
For our part, the AG will continue relentlessly audit-
ing, documenting what needs to change, and rec- • Financial prudence: Ensure that we use the
ommending how it should be changed to enhance limited resources correctly and realise value
accountability. The word “accountability” is a gram- for money.
matical construct that combines two words. There • Accountability: We must build a culture of
are “account” and “ability” in “accountability”, which performance and accountability.
means that it is difficult to “account” for performance
if one does not have the “ability” to carry out tasks.
In conclusion, what follows below are recommen- Activating the accountability ecosystem - a call to
dations that would help us reinstate a culture of ac- action
countability in the true sense of the word:
By implementing the above recommendations, we
Setting proper foundational principles will see effective use of public resources and better
service delivery. These represent the slow but neces-
• Appoint capable and qualified leaders in our sary steps toward building a culture of accountability
institutions, and ensure their tenure. This is that will improve service delivery in an ecosystem that
a crucial enabler of our ability to do things incorporates the following actions:
differently. • PLAN: Refocus and energise performance

• Delegate authority to capable individuals. planning processes to be comprehensive
This will ensure that the accountability eco- and aligned to the auditee mandate and
system is strengthened. the MTSF to ensure that service delivery is
planned for and reported on.
• Improved project management practises. • DO/IMPLEMENT: Appoint capable officials
One of the issues we see as the AGSA is and ensure stability that will enable account-
that our auditees have excellent implemen- ability and maintain a robust financial man-
tation plans, but they are not carried out. We agement culture, including providing effec-
must begin to get this right. tive revenue collection, prudent spending,
and the prevention and speedy recovery of
• Organisation and execution. Many of our au-
ditees are unable to plan effectively, which financial loss and waste.
is a critical component of management and • CHECK/MONITOR: Enable and insist on in-
allows public resources to be channelled ef- year monitoring controls and project man-
fectively and efficiently. agement disciplines to achieve planned ser-
vice delivery on time, within the budget and
• In addition, we must devote sufficient time at the required quality.
to planning and developing appropriate • ACT: Lead by example and ensure that con-
annual performance plans, with indicators sequences for accountability failures are im-
aligned with the MTSF and the mandates of plemented to enable improved performance
the departments or entities. and service delivery.

30 SERVICE DELIVERY REVIEW | Volume 15. No. 3 of 2023