Budget Scrutiny Intensifies at National Assembly

Seven Ministers filed past the Finance and Budget Committee Saturday and seven others are programmed for this Monday. Members of government have continued presenting and defending priority projects that would preoccupy their respective ministries in the next fiscal year to the Finance and Budget Committee of the National Assembly, in what observers have termed a marathon session. Last Saturday, seven Ministers filed past the committee, explaining how they would use the money allocated them in the State budget which globally stands at FCFA 2,570 billion. After over two hours of deliberations with the members of the committee, the Minister Delegate at the Presidency

of the Republic in charge of Defence, Edgard Alain Mebe Ngo??o said the priority of his ministry would be to reinforce the defence of the State and the security of people and goods. He said they will also seek to build the capacities of personnel and instil discipline in the corps. The Minister of Basic Education, Mrs Yousouf née Hadidja Alim who took the queue to defend her FCFA 167,728 billion said ongoing efforts to recruit teachers and acquire infrastructure will be intensified. She said the Ministry??s operational budget which stands at FCFA 115,559 billion will be used for personnel expenses as well as in improving on the functioning of the central and external services. ??We will build classrooms, improve on the school environment by building latrines and water points as well as build the capacities of our teaching staff to ensure quality education??, she said, adding that, ??with instructions of the government we will continue with the recruitment of teachers??. She did not say how many teachers will be recruited. The Priority of the Ministry of Social Affairs according to its Minister, Catherine Mbakang Mbock, will be the rehabilitation of street children, infrastructure and institutions. She said efforts would be geared towards building the capacities of human resources, putting in place of a social information system, drawing up standards for institutions in charge of caring for underprivileged people as well as a national policy document on the protection of elderly persons. The Minister of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, Aboubakary Sarki who rounded off Saturday??s presentations said his FCFA eight billion package would focus essentially on the support for poultry farming development, support projects for conventional livestock and ruminants, among others. The scrutiny continues today and the Ministries of External Relations, Agriculture and Rural Development and Public Service and Administrative Reforms will present and defend their envelops and projects in the morning while those of Secondary Education; Trade; Industries, Mines and Technological Development and Public Works are billed for the afternoon.
Godlove BAINKONG, CT

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