Improving finances and billing system key to city

NEW plans have been put in place by the Buffalo City Metro to turn around auditor-general Kimi Makwetu’s qualified opinion, improve the billing system and maintain financial viability.

BCM mayor Xola Pakati announced several plans towards applying a new improved billing system last week when he delivered his state of the metro address.

The implementation of a revenue management strategy and an accurate billing system was key.

“We are focused on improving governance and achieving an unqualified audit opinion.

“The continued implementation of the audit improvement plan is but one of the tools through which we can achieve this,” Pakati said.

“We intend expanding our services and improving customer relations to the midlands region through construction of offices so as to expand our services to more citizens closer to where they reside.”

Some areas in which the city is aiming to perform better with the aim of improving its books are:

● Stabilisation in the collection rate, after the collection dropped when compared to March 2016;

● Implementation of online prepayment electricity purchases;

● Implementation of a new meter reading system in order to improve accuracy of monthly billing. Linked to this, due to public outcry over the issue, is the commencement of the smart metering solution to automate and improve meter reading.

In supply chain management, the city adopted a new policy in May and will introduce e-procurement to automate the system and eliminate manual registration.

Pakati also announced the extension of bid committees from three to six in order to improve tender awards turnaround and central supplier data registration.

The metro will also implement new systems to comply with national financial reporting reforms known as mSCOA.

Thousands of King William’s Town residents will be happy to know that the Civic Centre payment facility in town will be upgraded to cope with the volume of customers.

Rural communities will benefit from the rural indigent registration campaign, in an effort to make sure that all BCM residents benefit from free basic electricity.

“The continued qualified opinion by the Auditor-General remains an area of serious concern for the city, and as such, when we were recruiting for the city manager, we were emphatic on a clear audit turnaround plan,” Pakati said.

“To truly have the confidence of citizens and stakeholders we must in the foreseeable future achieve an unqualified opinion.”