The Select Committee for Budgets regarding the Adjustment Budget Bill adopted a report earlier today that proposes strict measures aimed at improving service delivery and the efficiency of some of the government departments' drought relief efforts.
This follows after the FF Plus put a lot of emphasis on the necessity of drought relief for farmers, particularly after drought relief failed in the North West province.
In response to the underspending of the infrastructure budget for drought relief, the Committee proposed that the Ministers for Water and Sanitation, Health, Basic Education and Environmental Affairs, Forestry and Fisheries must take certain drastic steps to avoid underspending.
These steps include, among other things, submitting "concrete plans" to prevent further underspending to Parliament within 60 days after the report was adopted.
These plans must aim to address poor planning and budgeting and must ensure that internal project management skills are improved.
The Committee also insists that the various departments must ensure that they submit feasible plans to Parliament next year and that these plans are in line with the relevant department's budget. The departments must also see to it that vacant key positions are filled as it has a detrimental effect on service delivery.
The FF Plus will continue to advocate for the fate of farmers who are suffering due to the severe drought. It is a matter that is of critical importance for the country and the government cannot be allowed to shirk its responsibilities in this regard.
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