The planning session was held from 10-12 March 2025 aimed at enhancing oversight and accountability. The session chaired by Chairperson of Committees Honourable Tony Duba brought together 17 portfolio and standing committees to review existing priorities, align objectives with provincial goals and foster innovative problem-solving.
In his opening remarks, Honourable Duba emphasized the critical role of committees in ensuring accountability and oversight. He highlighted key findings from the 2024 Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC) report, the National Development Plan (NDP) vision 2030 and matters discussed during the 2024 strategic session. The session focused on critical areas, including public works and infrastructure, health, finance and legislature oversight. Committees developed new priorities, considered implications from a cluster perspective and made suggestions for improvements to the committee system. Furthermore resolutions adopted during the session include forging closer working relationships with institutions supporting democracy joint approaches to committee work, resourcing within the committee system and programming time to allow for more oversight slots.The legislature also committed to tracking and implementing house resolutions, allocating resources to committees and capacity-building programs for members aligned to committee work. Additionally, committees will monitor and track human resource management issues, including suspensions and vacancy rates.The session emphasized the importance of oversight over municipalities in terms of the Constitution, improvement of audit outcomes and assisting institutions supporting democracy in following up on the implementation of recommendations from reports. In his closing remarks, Duba thanked members for their participation and emphasized the importance of finalizing and adopting committee plans in line with the Standing Rules. “Plans should be foolproof, respond to challenges facing the people and be implemented, monitored and evaluated, “Declared Duba. The Eastern Cape Legislature’s commitment to enhanced oversight and accountability is a significant step towards ensuring that the provincial government is responsive to the needs of its citizens.As the legislature moves forward with implementing its plans, it is expected to make a positive impact on the lives of the people of the Eastern Cape.
Photograph: Chair of Committees Hon. Tony Duba delivering opening remarks
Ziphelele Nompula13 March 2025
