By Stephen V. Lansana
Sierra Leone’s Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh on Thursday, August 15, 2024, urged the Ministry of Finance to prioritise lifesaving Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
VP Jalloh made this comment during the official commencement of the FY2025 National Policy Hearing at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown.
The opening session of the FY2025 National Policy Hearing and Bilateral Budget Discussions with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), which is organized by the Ministry of Finance in collaboration with Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), was well attended by MDAs, members of the diplomatic community, Civil Society organizations and private sector players, among others.
The bilateral budget discussions will commence from August 19 – 30, 2024, in the conference hall of the Ministry of Finance.
In his keynote Address, the Vice President highlighted the achievements made by the government in the energy sector, education, infrastructure, job creation, fisheries, tourism, digital transformation, Lands and the trade industry sectors.
He called on the Ministry of Finance to support processes that support efficiency regimes like the school feeding programme, Ministry of Information and Civic Education, Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC), and the lifesaving allocations which Ministry of Health could utilize to effectively provide services and keep the hospitals running.
Speaking on the budget ceiling, VP Jalloh said that “usually, if the Ministry is cutting down on the budget, they should leave a space for dialogue because sometimes, MDAs develop their budgets against critical elements considering their mandates.
‘’So, please open a dialogue space. Work with them (MDAs), exchange with them so that you can adjust where necessary,’’ he urged Ministry of Finance.
He recalled the discussion he had with the MoF and Ministry of Health on the lifesaving allocations, noting that these are lifesaving allocations which are essential to get the hospitals continuously functioning at an optimal level.
He also said that they must invest in higher and technical education in the area of infrastructure and human resource etc. because many people are grumbling about the limited space in higher and tertiary institutions.
In the area of Energy, he said the government has expanded access, noting that the government need to reduce budgetary allocations to the Ministry of Energy. He said that the key challenge in energy supply is not about generation but management. “I am glad that the Minister said he is not going to increase tax,” he said.
‘’Whilst we are focusing on the big five, there are other areas that need our attention. We have to derisk interest rate for farmers as compared to those in the business sectors so that the interest rate for farmers will be reduced on bank loans to increase productivity,’’ he said
Speaking on the public sector reforms, he said that for a government to succeed, it needs a committed workforce, disclosing that they have drafted a public sector strategy. He thanked key Ministries like Tourism, Fisheries and Lands for their contributions towards the government budgets. He explained that he recently engaged the various councils in the provinces, and several challenges were highlighted. He said that the local councils are critical. “If there is no local council, the government will be creeped,” he said.
He disclosed that the local councils have no vehicles. “No Council in this country has got a single vehicle,” VP JALLOH said. “If you help them to purchase 25 vehicles, it will go a long way in helping them. “Please pay attention to this information in the budget so that at least one vehicle per council will be allocated to them,” he said.
He pleaded with the Ministry to at least provide 25 vehicles which will be distributed to all the councils across the country. He appreciated revenue generating MDAs that are doing very well. “I am grateful that the Minister said he is not going to increase tax, but the challenge we have is to enhance tax management,” he said.
the Financial Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Mr. Mathew Dingie, the Over the past years, we have recorded significant progress of growth.
Coordinator of Budget Advocacy Network, Abubakarr Kamara said they will support government in ensuring that public budgets are accounted for. He suggested for the inclusion of SMEs in policy decisions.
Speaking on the role of parliament in the budget process, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Finance, Hon. Kai Samba, said that parliament is involved in the approval and oversights, noting that these are very critical role in aligning ROLE – review and approval of budget.
The Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barlay said that unlike the previous plans, this National Development Plan sinks with the SDGs and it’s in line with other policy frameworks like Medium Term Development Plan.
Speaking on the FY2025 budget priorities and underlying policy reforms to support implementation of the big five game changers, the Minister of Finance Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura said in rebasing the GDP, they undertook a structural shift from 2018 to now. He said that the budget for 2025 will aim to reduce cost of living. ‘’The fiscal framework will increase the big five game changers. We will mobilize Le19 billion. Our finance Act for this year will improve on tax compliance. Tax compliance is very low in the country. We will ensure compliance with tax policies. We will limit externalities,’’ the finance minister said. ‘’The posture is not to increase taxes but to effectively implement the existing tax policies.’’