Cape Town - Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe is adamant government has to change the way it does business in order to deliver on its mandate.
He said within the context of the global economic downturn, the pursuit of value for money was imperative if the government was to improve service delivery standards.
"We must do more with less. The focus has to be on value for money. Wasteful and unproductive expenditure and corruption cannot be afforded," he told the 11th annual conference of the Association of Public Accounts Committees (APAC), on Monday.
"I urge you to critically assess your contribution as oversight committees in improving public sector governance and accountability at all three spheres of government."
He said government had limited resources, urging the various legislatures' public accounts committees to strengthen their oversight role even further.
"Public accounts committees had to ensure they were used effectively, in a manner that would at once improve on the quality of life of the people and when the global upswing occurred, to position the country to participate meaningfully in the world economy."
The four-day conference, which aims to share ideas on how to effectively manage public funds, is being attended by 600 government delegates from across the African continent.
Delegates also include Minister in the Presidency: National Planning Commission Trevor Manuel, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Sicelo Shiceka.
