GNUT introduces first bill in parliament since formation

By Alfred Pagepitu

The Government for National Unity and Transformation tabled the 2024 Supplementary Appropriation Bill 2024 in parliament on Monday.

Introduced by the Minister of Finance and Treasury, Hon. Manasseh Sogavare, the bill is the first to be tabled by the current government since its formation early 2024.

The bill is seeking parliament’s approval to authorise additional supplementary expenditure of One $113,436,406, for government services ending 31 December 2024.

It is to supplement additional expenditure and expenditure already authorised by the Minister for Finance and Treasury under the provisions of the 2024 Appropriation Act 2023 through contingency warrants and advance warrants.

“Sir this is my first appropriation bill as the minister responsible for finance and treasury and also the first bill to be tabled by the current government since the formation of the Government for National Unity and Transformation this year led by the Hon. Member Hograno-Kia-Havulei constituency,” Sogavare said when presenting the bill’s second reading.

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) concluded its inquiry into the bill on Friday.

The National Parliament said PAC found in its inquiry on the bill that most ministries have either reduced their original estimates or have moved expenditures from their development budget to their recurrent budget.

Various stakeholders have appeared before the committee to deliberate on their ministry’s budgetary spending.

These included the Central Bank of Solomon Islands and key government ministries that have requested additional supplementary expenditure.

The PAC will compile a report containing the evidence and recommendations gathered from the inquiry to assist Members of Parliament in their debate.

Debate on the bill in parliament on Monday was adjourned to allow time for the PAC to compile and finalized its report for presentation in parliament.

ENDS///