... would require attention particularly in light of the positive contribution of these sectors to the economy, if we want to defeat poverty associated with underdevelopment and migration to the cities.
The ANC welcomes the introduction of the rural household infrastructure grant which will result in job creation through construction and maintenance of infrastructure in the rural areas. Many houses have been delivered over the past few years. However, housing accreditation for municipalities will go a long way in accelerating housing delivery by the cities, as a start, and other municipalities in the long run.
The Constitution enjoins national and provincial governments to strengthen local government to ensure that resources made available through the municipal infrastructure grants are expended to the benefit of the communities to avoid rollovers. The underexpenditure of R1,8 billion with regard to the municipal infrastructure grant needs to be attended to as a matter of urgency.
On the adjustments appropriation, the Minister of Finance tabled the Adjustments Appropriation Bill together with the MTBPS. Assessing the adjustments against policy priorities, it was encouraging to note that departmental spending was R26,4 billion compared to the same period in 2009. However, the spending is still less than 50% as a benchmark.
Section 30 of the Public Finance Management Act, PFMA, says that national adjustments may only provide for unforeseen and unavoidable expenditure. I'm sure the hon member from the UDM is not very clear on what section 30 says about the adjustments, because what he said has nothing to do with section 30 of the PFMA.
We can confirm as a committee that this clause has, to a large extent, been complied with. However, the issue of salary adjustments could be looked at if it can't be addressed earlier and there could be negotiations to cover a longer period of time than is covered under the current arrangement.
The MTEF budget process gives departments and entities plenty of opportunities to plan. However, there are still challenges around this issue. The committee did not receive any proposals for the amendment of the budgets from the portfolio committees.
May I take this opportunity to thank the finance family, including Minister Gordhan, Deputy Minister Nene, all members and staff of the committee for their support by working tirelessly in ensuring the success of the committee meetings and of the report. I hope they will take a deserved rest and summer holiday. The ANC proposes the adoption of both the MTBPS and the Adjustments Appropriation Bill. I thank you. [Applause.]