EASTERN Cape’s human settlement department has requested R300-million from its national counterpart to build more houses.
The province has set itself a target to build nearly 13 000 houses before the end of the financial year in March next year. However, the department is confident it can build more houses by then.
Speaking at the tabling of the department’s half year report in the Bhisho Legislature, department head Gaster Sharpley said they had accelerated delivery during the first six months.
“The current expenditure trends show an increased productivity that has necessitated the department to request an additional R300-million from the national human settlement [department],” Sharpley said.
Yesterday, members of the legislature scrutinised half-year and annual reports in six separate portfolio committees including health, education, social development, human settlements, safety and liaison and sport, recreation, arts and culture.
Sharpley explained to the committee the expenditure patterns were faster than the available cash flow.
“Increased productivity as evidenced by invoices submitted, emanating from value created has accelerated expenditure in the first half of the year, thereby exceeding the allocated cash flow,” he explained further.
He said the department had spent just over half of its R2.1billion human settlement development grant.
“The department has completed 6 268 houses of the 12 979 houses. A further 7 239 services have been installed out of the annual target of 10 039,” Sharpley said.
DA MPL Kobus Botha raised concern on the issue of house rectification. Sharpley said his department was spending about 10% of its budget on rectification. — asandan@dispatch.co.za