On account of the country’s good economic performance, the government is in a position to use some of its budgetary surplus to pay for some extra expenses and give some resources to agencies and organisations to ensure they better their performances, the Minister for Finance has said.

Minister Danny Faure detailed the various allocations to the National Assembly on Wednesday and explained why the government finds it necessary to honour its responsibilities and continue supporting the various ministries, departments and agencies, to allow them to continue with their development programmes.

The leader of government business Marie-Louise Potter also highlighted this point when she presented the motion requesting the approval of the second supplementary budget estimates for the year to regulate the expenditure of SR103,174,384.99 in excess of the approved budget for the year.

The various allocations are detailed as follows:
• R17,505,208.19 has been allocated to government ministries and departments under Wages and Salaries with the National Assembly getting the largest share of R12,408,573.50 to pay gratuity and pension for MNAs of the 4th Assembly.

The other allocations break down as follows:
• Department of Social Development R1,797,398.40 to review the scheme of service for its staff;
• Department of prison R897,911.90 to cover among other expenses overtime for staff;
• Office of the President R374,527.20 to create new posts as recently announced;
• The Judiciary got R388, 800 which went towards the appointment of three judges before the end of the year;
• R1,346, 294.19 went to the end of contract payment for judge Hodoul upon his resignation and R175,703 to recruit staff for the three judges;
• The office of the electoral commission needed R116,000 for its members.

Budget allocations under Goods and Services totaled to a sum of R29,337,352.65 with the largest share going to the Ministry of Health which is receiving R12,585,212.65;
• The costs of the National Assembly election amounted to R4,515,721.19;
• R1,736,142 went towards the setting up of the Seychelles embassy in Abu Dhabi;
• R1,682,100 goes towards the costs of 15,000 new passport booklets;
• R1,300,000 went towards refurbishing, partitioning, rental and furniture for the Department of Employment.

Under Transfers to Public Sector, a sum of R27,686,723.14 has been allocated with the largest shares going to the Seychelles Tourism Board which received R16, 476, 000 to continue with its marketing campaign;
• The National Sports Council received R5,298,905.47 to cover expenses relating to our athletes who took part in the 8th Indian Ocean Island Games and the All Africa Games in Mozambique;
• The International Conference Centre received R2,600,000 to cover electricity, internet and water bills incurred while hosting the Expo2020;
• The Seychelles Fishing Authority received R1,272,000 to pay gratuity to three workers, electricity expenses to ice plants among other expenses.

Allocations under what is termed “Other Centralised Payment” amounted to R28, 645, 101.01, the lion’s share of which – the sum of R10, 154, 639.02 -- went to the Ministry of Finance and Trade for subscription to international organisations;
• R8,852, 029.78 went towards paying for subscription to international bodies but this time for delays in approving withdrawal of membership to these bodies;
• The Seychelles Public Transport Corporation (SPTC) received R6,390,103.51 for travel concession for pensioners, school children and others;
• The Seychelles Fishing Authority (SFA) received R3,248,328.70 for the fuel incentive scheme for fishermen.

Several Assembly members aired their views on the various allocations and many of them called for better planning in the various ministries and departments to ensure they operate within their original budget.

While many of them agreed that the fact that the country has money to spend in a supplementary is a sign of good economic performance, they call for better planning, good oversight and those in position of responsibility should be called to answer questions on their expenses.

The allocations to the Ministry of Health were the most questioned as the MNAs argued there is very little improvement in the services the ministry offers while there are always shortages of some medicine.

Some ministries like Education, National Development and departments like community development, land transport and environment among others were commended for improving their planning systems and thus spending within their budget because they did not request for supplementary allocations.

In his right of reply, Mr Faure clarified various points which the MNAs had raised while he took note of other pertinent issues.

Forrás: www.nation.sc