The UDM is pleased to hear that the National Treasury has reconsidered the formula it uses to share the revenue amongst our 287 municipalities. The UDM has been consistent in calling on national government to provide more support, and to help rural municipalities that lack the technical expertise to roll out infrastructure development programmes and have limited revenue-raising capacity.
It is for this reason that it is gratifying to hear that the purpose of this exercise by National Treasury is to give more financial support to poorer municipalities than those in wealthier areas. We feel that this is a step in the right direction and will certainly go a long way towards addressing past imbalances and backlogs. I thank you.