By Alieu Amara Suwu
The 2023 budget hearing has unearthed so many revelations of how budget allocated to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) are spent, and why they should be given the monies they are requesting.
Among these is the Ministry of Finance which is responsible for fiscal policies, which some said should improve on its expenditure management and control.
At this year’s budget hearing, Jusu Sessie, acting Deputy Director of Budget (non-payroll) at the Ministry of Finance, disclosed that, the reason for spending beyond the required amount is that the Ministry of Finance is faced with a huge financial burden and unexpected expenditures from other MDAs. Sessie said the Ministry, other than their allocation, has been stepping in to make subscriptions, and consultancy fees on behalf of other MDAs and also supporting them with other unexpected expenditures. Such he noted is the support given to Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) which is Nle 500,000 in 2021 and in 2022 is Nle 1,000,000. This he added is responsible for the improvement of electricity supply.
Dr Yakama Jones, Director of Research and Delivery at Finance, presenting the Ministry’s budget stated that the Ministry needs Nle 128.281.9, which is over hundred percent increment compared to 2022 which is Le 62,231,000. Moreover, she said revenue generation domestically rose from 12.3% to 15.1% gross domestic products (GDP). She further outlined challenges, achievements and strategic objective such as increase in domestic revenue by 12% to 20%.
