NWPG to return R445 million to National Treasury

MADIBENG – The NORTH WEST Provincial Government will return R445 million in unspent grant funding of a total of R1 billion to National Treasury RSA after several departments in the province failed to utilise the finances to improve bulk infrastructure, ensure proper provincial road maintenance, establish early childhood development centres in towns/townships and expand the National School Nutrition Programme in the province. Provincial Treasury has defended the underspending in a statement which they explained that the 2022/23 financial year of the provincial government ends on 31st March 2023.

The departments in the province are still transacting and should be allowed to close the books before confirming the expenditure performance. The departmental expenditure performance would be reflected in the annual reports of the departments and departments implementing critical service delivery programmes, which would have an impact on expenditure outcome. The financial year end for municipalities is on 30 June 2023 and therefore it will be premature to pronounce on any unspent funds at this time.