Govt announce $3.926 billion budget

 

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance and Treasury-Hon Manasseh Sogavare has presented the government’s budget of 3.926 Billion dollars for 2019.

Mr Sogavare announced yesterday while presenting the ‘2019 Appropriation Bill 2018’ in Parliament.

He said this budget would effectively deliver services to all Solomon Islanders.

He added the budget would be fully funded by both domestic and external revenue the government hopes to secure next year.

Meanwhile, the Public Accounts Committee today commenced hearings into the second supplementary appropriation bill to further fund the financial year ending 31st December 2018.

Parliament Media reported, the Ministry of Finance and Treasury brought the 2018 Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2018 seeking the approval for a total of 119.4 million for 11 Government ministries.

Of the sum, 21.7 million was appropriated with an advance warrant of 9.9 million to cater for the Republic of China (on Taiwan’s) funding towards the Constituency Development.

It says, 11 million dollars is for medical bills, rentals, utilities, outstanding GP labor mobility within the Office of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

A total of 21 million was also appropriated by the Ministry of Education of which, 20 million is to support the completion of the infrastructure of the National University, SINU and 1- million in donor support.

A total of 20 million was also requested to finance parliamentarians terminal grant.

The Parliament Media adds, the remaining 57 million is to be shared amongst 8 line ministries- the Ministry of Finance and Treasury, the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, the National Judiciary, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology, Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Ministry Lands, Housing and Survey, Ministry of Rural Development and the Ministry of Communication and Aviation.

By: Fred Osifelo.