By Crispina Cummings
An opposition Member of Parliament has criticised the 2015 budget which was read last week by the country’s finance minister, Dr Kelfala Marah.
Contributing to a debate on the document, Komba Koydeyoma of Constituency 027 in Kono District, described the budget as “good for reading purposes but not too good for implementation”.
He said many ministries, departments and agencies would not be able to access their budgets “because of the prevailing circumstances”, adding that he was in sympathy with the government. He said that even the central bank had not been able to put regulations that would stabilise the country’s exchange rate noting the bank should be able to do that if the 2015 budget was to be meaningful.
Parliamentary Chief Whip, Claude Kamanda said the budget should be seen as one for every citizen “but its implementation is tied to the fight against Ebola”. He said the Ebola war should be taken seriously and encouraged his colleague MPs to “be united and not politicise the budget”.
Debate continues on the budget today, November 21.
The total amount of money needed to run the services of the state is Le 3.3 trillion and includes a minimum wage of Le 500, 000 for all categories of workers in both the private and public sectors.
With the minimum wage bill enacted two weeks ago, the new system of payment is supposed to take effect on 1st July 2015. The budget, titled: “Restoring livelihood for post-Ebola Sierra Leone”, also included a 15% salary increase for all categories of civil servants.
Reading the budget in parliament last week, the finance minister assured that all MDAs would receive their budgeted allocations should the Ebola crisis be overcome by the end of the year. He said only salaries and wages would not be effected immediately.
© Politico 21/11/14
