13 Dec 2015

Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Mr Kenneth Matambo, says supplementary expenditure to the consolidated and development funds is necessary.

Answering Members of Parliament (MPs) who had expressed concern at what they considered large amounts being requested to supplement the budget on Friday, Minister Matambo explained that such supplements were necessitated by unforeseen circumstances that appear after the annual budgetary process was concluded.

“It is well known to those who work with me that I am one minister who does not particularly like supplementary budgets, but understand that they are often necessary.   They are necessitated by circumstances that occur during the financial year, and as a government it is our responsibility to ensure that we avail funds for the development process,” Mr Matambo said.

He also stressed that Cabinet had approved some of the estimates as a collective.

“Perhaps the term used, ‘presidential directive’ can be misleading, and it has clearly got some within this parliament excited or agitated, but the reality is that this has been the collective decision of the executive,” he said.

Earlier in presenting estimates, Mr Matambo lauded the Parliamentary Finance and Estimates Committee for the work they had done in assessing estimates presented.

“I must recognise efforts by honourable members of the Finance and Estimates Committee, who despite time limitations were able to assess the requests in the Financial Paper.  I have noted their comments with appreciation, and would like to point out that their contributions and comments are highly valued by my ministry,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Matambo had requested Parliament to approve supplementary estimates of expenditure from the consolidate fund amounting to over P24 000 000 and estimates from the development fund for a sum of just over P1.3 billion.

The minister’s request was approved by parliament, but after debate by members, some of who felt that supplementary budget showed that proper planning had not been done during the budget process early in the year.

“This is a clear sign of fiscal indiscipline, there is a clearly a need to improve the planning process for the national budget if we are going to asked to approve such a large amount as supplementary to the budget,” MP for Gaborone Central, Mr Phenyo Butale said.

Leader of Opposition, Mr Duma Boko, who is also the MP for Gaborone Bonnington North, said the executive had agreed on large figure to supplement the budget and was asking Parliament within short notice to endorse an executive decision.

Selebi-Phikwe West MP, Mr Dithapelo Keorapetse also called for Parliament to be given greater authority over the budgetary process, instead of being asked to approve “colossal amounts” after a day’s debate.

Nata/Gweta MP, Mr Paulson Majaga complained of developmental backlogs within his constituency, including roads and provision of water and electricity, stating that as a parliamentarian he was relentless to approve budget supplements that left out such challenges in his area.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr Pelonomi Venson-Moitoi pointed out that the finance paper presented by the minister had been scrutinised by the parliamentary finance and estimates committee which included opposition members such as Gaborone Bonnington South MP, Mr Ndaba Gaolathe.

“As the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) government we have opposition members in such a structure providing oversight of public finances.  

 

We may not be able to take on board each of their recommendations, but we appreciate their views,” Dr Venson-Moitoi said. Ends