The provincial department was led by the Mr G Sharpley, Head of Department and Mr K Naicker, Acting Executive Director: Human Settlements, NMBM led the presentation. Mr Naicker informed the Committee that the USDG was intended to cover capital projects, including land planning, the provision of water and sanitation, and the provision of adequate housing, electricity, roads and storm water services. The USDG was meant for the acquisition or redevelopment of land, basic infrastructure services for poor households and the upgrading of informal settlements. The total allocation for 2011/12 was R502 million. Out of that amount R247 million was committed for projects based on the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) and the MIG-cities framework. The NMBM had spent R97 million of the R502 million for the USDG in the period 1 July to 30 November 2011. The NMBM as part of its action plan was fast-tracking the appointment of contractors as well as the approval of the EIA.