By Ibrahim Karim Bangura (Tanko)
As the two weeks Financial Year of 2025 budget consultative meeting which ended last week at the Ministry of Finance Headquarters building, George Street in Freetown.
Over 90 Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) have presented their individuals’ budgets proposal plans to Finance Ministry and are awaiting for approval.
Few MDAS were stood down due to poor documentation problems upon submission.
In his closing speech, the Financial Secretary of Ministry of Finance, Matthew Denga said, “this year’s budget hearing is a roadmap for FY2025 national budget plan. It is designed in order to achieve the Five-Big-Changers of President Bio’s development plans, adding the budget will be tabled in the well of parliament for discussions and approval and some amendments will be expected to be made by lawmakers.
“The 2 weeks session was awesome and interactive, the exchange of knowledge was apt and collective, ” says a government official.
The Ministry of Finance says it deeply appreciates the tireless effort and timeless of the media, civil societies, development partners and budget experts from the Ministry of Development and Planning and from others sectors,” he said.
Ibrahim Bai Koroma, Executive Director, Citizens Rights Network, Sierra Leone, said the budget hearing was super-fine regardless of the loopholes and constraints highlighted by some MDAs. He asked institutions to be able defend their tender plans in future especially on tagging on the budget financial allocations to be effected.
“We appreciate the effort of MOF and Ministry of Planning, the collective and timely intervention of non-state actors; but some MDAs must up their game especially in their activities plans despite the challenges that have to do with staffing, logistic, accommodation etc.” Finance Ministry should allocate monies to all MD As, he said, on time in order to meet the Big-Five-Game Changer.
Mohamed Konneh, a representative from a media house said the FY2025 budget talk is key for nation building and state development. He noted that budget discussion is a knowledge sharing and brainstorming process regardless of the challenges in it.
“Our role is to educate the public on the outcome the process, as partners in development, the Big-Game-Changers in the five year plan will aid some problems, though there are endless challenges,” he said.
In an interview with Hawa Kamara, Deputy Chairlady, Calaba Town, Constituency 113 said the Fy2025 budget must be reflective and implementable for the needy in the country.
In addition, government and donor partners should focus on community projects that will benefit all Sierra Leoneans, she said.
“The Fy2025 budget should focus on our welfare, teachers’ salaries are too low, for example, a bag of rice is sold Nle 1,300, and the cost of living is hard for us,” she said.
Mohamed Dumbuya, Youth Chairman, Constituency 076 Port Loko District, Lungi said the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and others line ministries should focus on the fight against Kush and illegal drugs in the country.
“MOF and Ministry of Planning must approve the budget of NDELA due to their appalling situation regarding financial limitations and service delivery over the year. At present, the fight is worrisome and challenging, ” he suggested.