By OBAKENG MAJE
11 March 2025- The North West Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Premier and Finance said it has adopted a committee report on the second adjustment appropriation bill 2024/2025, where an additional R150 million rand has been appropriated to the Department of Human Settlements for housing development projects and matters therein. The committee said the funds will ensure that the department meets its obligations in terms of the Informal Settlements Upgrading Grant.
The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee, Nathan Oliphant said the department has been negatively affected by significant budget cuts, which affected various projects. Oliphant said during deliberations, the committee emphasised the need for heightened oversight in respect of this adjustment and to ensure no wastage.
“We welcome the confirmation by the Provincial Treasury that they have done due diligence in respect of the capacity and ability to expend on the appropriate amount. We are furthermore happy that this service delivery resources will ensure contractor payment and further ensure that boots are on the ground as our people don’t want stories and they want decent housing which the department has committed to.
“We tabled the second adjustment appropriation bill 2024/2025 committee report at the Legislature House Sitting, where it was adopted,” he said.
Meanwhile, the North West MEC for Finance, Kenetswe Mosenogi tabled the 2024/25 Second Adjustment Budget for North West province, following the approval of the allocations by the National Treasury and the National Department of Human Settlements. Mosenogi stated that an additional R150 million to the Informal Settlements Upgrading Partnership Grant (ISUPG) for the Department of Human Settlements, has been available as part of the 2024/25 second adjustment allocation, increasing the ISUPG allocation from R357.135 million to R507.135 million.
She further said, as a result, the department’s total allocation increases from R1.894 billion to R2.044 billion, and the Provincial Fiscal Framework grows from R54.159 billion to R54.310 billion. Mosenogi added that the additional allocation will allow the department to deliver on its mandate of providing better housing and settlements for citizens of the province.
“These additional funds should be utilised to respond to the needs of the citizens of the province. All indications are that the department would be able to utilise their allocation in the current financial year without rollovers,” she said.
The Guardian 