By Bosco Bush
It is almost a month, the government has been operating without a new budget, as the previous one expired on 30th June.
Civil servants, organized forces, and diplomatic missions are facing a cumulative 9 months’ salary arrears.
The country is also experiencing soaring hyperinflation and continuous depreciation of the local currency against the US Dollar, posing a threat to the livelihood of the citizens.
As a result, the National Legislative Assembly summoned the Minister of Finance to appear before the August House and provide a clear plan for addressing the economic crises.
Responding to the delayed 2024/2025 Fiscal Year budget, Minister of Finance and Planning, Marial Dongrin Ater said his team is working to fulfil the draft budget within the week and possibly submit it to the next cabinet sitting for deliberations.
Its approval or disapproval will be determined by the council of ministers. If approved, it will be presented to the parliament for further scrutiny before its final assent by the President.
“Our work will finish this week as the ministry. But will then make a request to the cabinet affairs ministry that is responsible for setting the agenda of the council of ministers. After that, it depends on whether the cabinet will approve the presented budget or with minor changes,” Dongrin said.
On the issue of the piercing hyperinflation and continues depreciation of the SSP, the finance boss said, they have a paperwork conceptualizing policies and reforms that would broadly address the economic crises facing the country.
“We have a plan on how do we get out of these problems. I can’t share it now before the cabinet scrutinize and adopts it.”
“This plan will broadly take 3 forms, there will be reforms that need to be done to address the reality of the situation. These reforms will take policy and administrative interventions. The other one will be informed of the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 budget that shall come to this house for your approval. These will broadly address how we are going to handle the economic crises that we are facing today,” he narrated.
According to him, his plan would need the attention of the country’s leadership and the executive body for its fruitful impact on the public.
“I am prepared to share with the leadership of the country on what would be the way out very soon. My ministry will have to seek the concurrent of the cabinet such that, that plan will become public,” the minister stated.
Outlining the concerns of the education sector, especially the issue of the Senior Four examinations results delay, Dongrin noted that, they had a prior discussion about the matter with the leadership of the Service Delivery Cluster and hopefully the remaining funds will be disbursed soon to facilitate the release of the Certificate of Secondary Education results.