The O’Neill-Dion Government used its numerical strength to pass the country’s supplementary budget this afternoon before adjourning Parliament to October 25.
Opposition Leader Don Poyle slammed the coalition government for bulldozing the passing of the budget on the same day without giving notice in advance for MPs to research and debate before passage of the budget.
Treasury Minister Patrick Pruaitch, when handing down the budget, said: “The 2016 supplementary budget comprises adjustments that include both expenditure saving measures of K928 million and additional revenue raising measures of K958 million”.
This will see expenditure cuts to majority of government departments, statutory bodies, provincial governments and government projects’ budgets. This is to save cost and adjust the 2016 National Budget because of shortfall in revenue generated into the country’s purse.
Department of Works and Implementation got the largest slice of its budget cut, totaling K159.7 million, followed by the National Development Bank losing K49.6 million in reduction of appropriate – capital expenditure.
And Treasury and Finance was the biggest loser with close to K142 million sliced to its operation spending, followed by Department of Works and Implementation with close to K49 million.
“The adjustments were implemented strategically to ensure that economic growth is maintained, the implementation of the key national infrastructure projects are maintained, jobs are protected and the delivery and quality of basic goods and services are not compromised,” said Pruaitch.
“Furthermore, key policy play forms priorities such as tuition fee free education, free primary health care, the 2017 election and APEC preparation and statutory funding remain unaffected.
“With the adjustment of K928 million, the revised 2016 total expenditure and net lending now amounts to K13, 834.6 million.”
Parliament adjourned at 5:10pm this afternoon.