As FY2024 Budget Discussion Ends…
10th Nov. Slated For Parliamentary Presentation
By Mohamed Konneh
The Deputy Minister of Finance, Abu Bakarr Kalokoh during the closing ceremony of the Policy Hearing and Bi-lateral Budget discussion has said budget presentation to the house of parliament has been slated for 10th November this year.
Mr. Kalokoh said the budget will be read in parliament on the 10th noting that the presentations have ended but more work remains to be done.
The Deputy Minister described the past two weeks as fruitful adding that the MDAs have been cooperative including the Non-State Actors, District Budget Oversight Committees, Civil Society Groups and the media.
He said the local councils will start their own presentation this week and we believe you will continue to give your support and expertise to the process.
The Deputy Minister said so much has been done these past weeks and that the presentations were good and that some fascinating work were done citing the ministry of Lands and Country Planning and Mines and Mineral Resources.
‘This is the first time we as ministers have fully involved in the process and we will also be part of the process to monitor the implementation of the budget’.
He called on the NSAs and DBOCs to continue monitoring the process adding that this is the only way the implementation will be proper.
The Deputy Minister noted that the reason for the difficulties this year was that government was conducting elections, so most MDAs did not get their allocations in full.
‘The government has articulated the big five and this is what this budget hinges on. Agriculture is our next big programme, he said.
The 2024 Policy Hearing and Bilateral budget discussion has come to an end with very good presentations from MDAs.
The Financial Secretary, Mathew Dingie in his statement said the two weeks with MDAs have been fruitful with very fine presentations from MDAs on their budgets and programmes.
He thanked the NSAs, DBOCs and CSOs who continue to contribute to the process.
He said the so much has been achieved adding that it has always been a learning process for both government and partners noting that so much has been achieved since the process.
Mr. Dingie said this is not the end of the process as so much has to be done before presentation to parliament.
Hon. Kendo Acting Chairperson for the Non-State Actors also added his voice to the debate commended the effort of MDAs who made several fascinating presentations during the past two weeks.
He said the role of NSAs is to monitor and add credence to the process.
‘Our being here is not a mistake. Our input into the process is key. This is our own contribution to the development of the nation and the reason we have sacrificed the past two weeks, he said.
The process ended on a very good note as Sierra Leoneans await the outcome of the budget process.
