Presidency's Annual Report shows greater oversight essential
The Presidency's 2010/11 Annual Report, released today, indicates that this department has excelled at increasing the size of its budget, but not the quality of its performance. Between 2009/10 and 2010/11, the Presidency's expenditure increased by 74%. However, according to the Auditor General's report, even the most basic regulatory processes are still not being followed.
Despite spending over R61 million on travel and subsistence, and almost R500 million on the largely ANC Youth League controlled National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), over the last financial year the Presidency was unable to develop a satisfactory strategic plan, or implement sufficient performance monitoring procedures.
How did this happen, given that the Presidency includes the Department of Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, which is supposed to evaluate the performance of the entire national government?
The greatest impediment to the Presidency's improved performance is the absence of regular oversight by a dedicated portfolio committee. Without constant parliamentary scrutiny to keep the department on the right track, the disjuncture between its vast budget and its underwhelming contribution to improving government performance will continue.
More than a year ago, I proposed that a Presidential Portfolio Committee be established to oversee the activities of the Presidency. The ANC has subsequently sought to bury this proposal in Parliament. I will be using the opportunity presented by today's release of the Presidency's annual report - and the concerning trends this report highlights - to put this proposal back on the parliamentary agenda.
Furthermore, I will be submitting a series of questions to President Jacob Zuma and Minister in the Presidency, Collins Chabane, about those areas of concern raised by the Auditor General, and to interrogate the reasons for the Presidency's significant expenditure increase over the past financial year.
Statement issued by Athol Trollip MP, DA Parliamentary Leader, September 1 2011
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