Thank you, hon
Deputy Chairperson. Let me also not be called to order. Hon members, based on the existing institutional arrangements of the Expanded Public Works Programme, EPWP, co-ordination for the programme, it is aligned and integrated across all three spheres of the government.
At national level, the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure mandated to champion the EPWP and is responsible for providing leadership at national level, overall co-ordination policy development and monitoring and evaluation for the implementation of the EPWP.
At a provincial level, the premier provides leadership and direction to the implementation of the EPWP in the province. The premier must also ensure that they meet all targets for the allocated funds. Then to ensure effective co-ordination in the province, the MEC responsible for Public Works and Infrastructure are delegated to establish a fully multifunctional resource EPWP unit. Once at a municipal level then the mayor provides the leadership and direction within the municipality and then appoints members of the mayoral committee that will promote and ensure
implementation of the EPWP in each sector. All of these arrangements are agreed to an EPWP implementation protocol, which is the framework for co- operation and co-ordination.
Now to integrate and align co-ordination mechanism of the programme, there are also various government structures exist and they include, you have the Public Employment Programme Inter- Ministerial Committee. That committee is chaired by the Deputy President. It consist of the Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure and the lead sector co-ordinating Ministers, namely, the Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Social Development and Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs. Then the ANC is geared towards unblocking any problems, give strategic direction and we are trying to do co-ordination amongst all three spheres of government.
Then you also have Ministers and Members of Executive Councils Meeting, Minmec. Minmec is chaired by the Minster of Public Works and Infrastructure with all the MECs in the provinces responsible for the EPWP. Then you have another committee, the National Co- ordination Committee, NCC. This is a strategic platform to address issues pertaining to the implementation of the EPWP also the co- ordination and reporting. This committee is chaired by the deputy
director-general and also members from Public Works and Infrastructure and some senior officials from the provincial co- ordinating department's co- ordinators and then the sector lead departments and then the EPWP executive management team.
Then you also have the provincial steering committee. These are provincial structures convene by the Provincial Department of Public Works and in each province to discuss the progress of the EPWP progress with each sector. Then they also identify some challenges and find solutions. The provincial executive committee, PEC, is attended by senior officials from sector co-ordinating departments in the province, the National Department of Public Works and Infrastructure officials at regional offices and senior officials from district and local municipalities in the province.
Then you have the district municipal forums. They are established at district level championed by the district and senior officials from various local municipalities are also expected to attend these meetings and deal with the implementation. What are the challenges that they face in this regard?