By Ragan M. Conteh
The Financial Secretary in the Ministry of Finance, Sahr Lahia Jusu on Wednesday 25th September 2019 revealed at the commencement of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Budget hearing at Miatta Conference center that, this year’s budget is aiming to foster greater transparency and accountability in the public sector institutions.
According to Sahr Lahia Jusu the main objective of this year’s policy hearings is to provide the forum for MDAs including local Councils, CSOs and relevant stakeholders to discuss, review and prioritizes their policies, programmes and projects specified under the New Direction SLPP manifesto.
These hearings according to Sahr Lahai Jusu will also provide an opportunity for stakeholders in Public Finance Management and MDAs to discuss and exchange ideas on issues relating to the fiscal year 2020 budget formulation, implementation and monitoring programs that are of priority to Government.
He went on that the hearing will enhance transparency in the budget process including the participation of key stakeholders to deliberate on specific sectoral policies leading to the allocation of limited resources to MDAs.
He stressed that there are challenges facing the economy which includes the exchange rate, revenue mobilization, low export, high expectation from the populace and management among others within the competing needs.
Key priorities in the 2020 budget he said will be supporting the sector planning approach by ward, district, and regions to allocate resources to the priority areas of the new direction government which includes fiscal consultation for Job creation and human capital development in the country.
Towards strengthening the economy, Sahr Jusu said the Government will support to agriculture, youth employment and private sector with a focus to promote larger and small scale SMEs, on agriculture, road sector and education thereby increase job opportunity for the younger generations who are the drivers for tomorrow’s development drive of Sierra Leone.
He also pointed out that the budgets will targets the completion of ongoing projects inherited especially roads and other infrastructural projects.
He stressed that Government required diligent support from the civil society, non-state actors and the entire public to monitor services delivered by MDAs.
Sar Jusu said the climate change especially deforestation has been and is still continues to be a major challenged adding that the Government through the Ministry of Finance will support the tree planting exercises across the country.
He concluded that due to higher Government debts inherited has a ripple effect on the economy and assured that the National Revenue Authority gearing up to increase revenue for the operational cost of Government projects across the country.