THE EASTERN CAPE government is to spend R58,8-million in the next two years on the Integrated Sustainable Rural Development Strategy (ISRDS) programme, says Housing and Local Government director of municipal support Sibongile Madyaka. Speaking at an ISRDS briefing, Madyaka said R12,4-million would be used for management support, R3m for financial aid and R12m for institutional capacity for nodal points. Madyaka said the grant was aimed at assisting medium and small municipalities. "We want to implement actual projects that will improve cash flow, to provide technical expertise and to improve the information system. We also want to strengthen both the financial viability and administrative capacity of municipalities. Madyaka said district municipalities had to co-ordinate with the nodal points and submit business plans to his department for consideration. "The projects should be demand driven. The local and district municipalities should accept conditions of support by council resolutions. Municipalities must tender for expertise if required," he said.