VP Juldeh Jalloh Launches 2023 Policy Hearing and Budget Discussion
By Naomi Pessima
Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh has launched the 2022 policy Hearing and Bi-Budget discussion at the Ministry of Finance Conference Room, George Street in Freetown.
The Policy Hearings and Bi-Lateral Budget Discussion provides an opportunity for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) including Local Councils to discuss and review the updates on sectoral policies as contained in the Medium-Term National Development Plan.
Launching the annual policy hearing, VP Juldeh Jalloh said the budget hearing is vital to the mechanics of the delivery chain under President Bio’s New Direction government.
VP Juldeh Jalloh thanked the Ministry of Finance and various MDAs for work over the years while noting that the Manifesto is promise is key part of the budget process.
He said the budget hearing this time is very important not only to Sierra Leone but the world at large.
Dr. Juldeh Jalloh noted that that the objective of the policy hearing and budget discussion process is to guide discussions around resource allocation particularly in the context of challenging revenue mobilization.
The VP noted that the focus of the process is to facilitate dialogue around key government priority programs and budgetary implications.
He encourages the respective MDA’s to look outward for opportunities to finance key social programs that development partners are willing to support and programs that addresses poverty among the people.
‘Let me called on the ministry of finance to pay specific attention to areas that will suffer significant donor budgetary cuts such as the health and explore possibilities for government counterparts funding. This is key as we know that funding is dwindling across the world, he said.’
Dr. Juldeh Jalloh noted that while government was struggling with the COVID-19 crisis they were again faced with issues of fuel prices as a result of the Russia war.
The Vice President Highlights the gains made in the education sector highlighting the transforming education summit that was co-chaired by President Bio.
He said Sierra Leone is doing well in the health sector education and that there are now eighty percent survival of women who go to give birth in PHUs across the country.
The Deputy Minister of Finance, Sheku Bangura in his statement said the process of policy hearing is for stakeholders to dialogue on policies that will foster economic growth and improve on the standard of living of the average Sierra Leoneans.
He said utmost prrority of disbursement would be given to the 2023 electioneering process and that the gender responsive budgeting would be promoted.
Mr. Bangura said that the budget is the only tool by which resources can be distributed equitably at all levels such as education, health, energy, water etc.
The Coordinator Budget Advocacy Network, Abu Bakarr Kamara speaking on behalf of the Civil Society highlights some of the difficulties in the process including the limited space for civil society to participate and the late disbursement of funds to MDAs over the years.
He called on civil society to continue the partnership with government noting that BAN will continue to partner with the ministry of Finance in this direction.
Mr. Kamara noted that the gender responsive budgeting has been prioritized as stated by the in five MDAs in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Welfare.
This he said is good while emphasizing on policies that will strengthens domestic revenue mobilization.
The budget hearings is coming at a very crucial time as the new direction government will need to showcase not only the gains made in the last four years but outline a clear road to a post-COVID-19 recovery process and shocks from plummeting pump prices as a result of the Ukraine Russia war.
The hearing will last for the next three weeks where MDAs will be presenting what they have achieved and what they hope to achieve come 2023.
