The newly appointed MEC for Public Works in Limpopo, Mr George Phadagi, started his provincial tour to all of the public works districts at the Thohoyandou Town Hall in the Vhembe district on Monday this week.

During the visit, Phadagi, together with the acting HOD and senior managers in the department, met members of staff.

The department’s acting media liaison officer, Mr Victor Mufamadi, said as a department they were taking the MEC to the people. The tour seeks to introduce the new MEC to officials of the public works department in districts as well as to apprise senior management of operational developments, activities and challenges faced by employees at cost centres and district offices.

The department as a key service delivery arm of the state is tasked with the responsibility of delivering on the mandate of creating decent work and sustainable livelihoods. Through its Expanded Public Works Programme, the department has already delivered 16 000 job opportunities in the first quarter of the year.

Phadagi said it is the intention of the MEC, the acting HOD and senior managers of the department to ensure that the province contributed its share of the 500 000 national jobs by reaching its target of 69 000 jobs by the end of this financial year.

Phadagi said since he was appointed MEC, he noticed that people were ready to work, but they lacked motivation. “We are here to motivate them and encourage them to work harder, so that they service the province in the best possible way,” said Phadagi.

He said the department would be prioritizing projects like schools, clinics, and hospitals - some of which were left incomplete and some yet to be started. The backlog the department is facing should be completed in early January next year, Phadagi said.

One of the longest-serving employees of the department, Mr Abraham Ramabulana, said he was happy that the MEC had come to listen to them and the challenges they were facing at the work place.