The Democratic Alliance (DA) Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL), Jacqueline Theologo, says four key economic development public entities are failing to drive economic growth and job creation in the province. She says these include entities such as the North West Gambling Board, North West Development Corporation (NWDC), North West Parks Board, and the North West Tourism Board. 

Theologo says during a committee meeting with the Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism earlier this week, it became evident that these four entities are grossly mismanaged. The department is yet to comment.

“Considering the current economic downturn, these entities are responsible for the management and oversight of important economic drivers in the province in support of Small, Medium, and Micro-Enterprises (SMME) and Tourism. Through their mandates each entity has the mandate to attract investment and spur economic growth which in turn creates jobs,” she adds. 

Theologo says the Gambling Board overspent its budget on Legal Services by R4.4 million in the 2018/19 financial year, the NWDC only reached 27% of its targets, yet overspent its budget by 16% and the Tourism Board only reached 4 out of 16 targets, yet managed to overspend on its budget by 59.7%. Theologo further adds that it is evident that these entities are unable to adhere to basic corporate governance standards and adds that it is shocking that the state of affairs in these entities show complete lack of accountability and gross mismanagement.

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