By Saio Marrah
Member of Parliament, Aia Shek David Kassegbama, of Constituency 026 in Kono district, has called for timely disbursement of the government budget to the various Ministry Department and Agencies (MDAs) for the effective delivery of government projects.
speaking during the final debate of the government’s 2022 annual budget on Friday 26th November 2021, he said the late disbursement of the budgeted funds to the MDAs by the Finance Ministry has led to the inefficiency of institutions such as the directorate of food and nutrition at the Ministry of Health and Sanitation which he said officials told them during their visit that it is challenged with the necessary resources needed to carry out it activities.
“I am talking directly to the Ministry of Finance. If you write something in the budget for an annual year, you should disburse it to the MDAs at the right time,” He said.
He added “Talking about figures is not the issue here. We have been talking about it several times, but it is about giving to the MDAs and getting MPs of their respective constituencies involve in the implementation beyond party.”
He added that during the sub appropriation stage for the committee on supply, MDAs reports of not receiving the second or third quarter of their budget till the end of the year.
However, another Parliamentarian, Lamin Joseph Williams of constituency 081, Bo District, said the budget is just an estimate or proposal and that the money is not readily available.
The budget has been committed to the committee on supply so that the various sub appropriation committees can scrutinize the various MDAs to know how they spent the current budget for the 2021 financial year before the approval of their next budget.
MDAs will also have the opportunity to explain to their various committees as to whether the proposed budget will be enough to undertake their key projects.
Copyright © Politico Online 01/12/21
