The Members of the National Assembly have anonymously passed the Appropriation (2023/2024) Bill which makes provision for the Consolidated Fund of the Government of Lesotho, of the sums necessary to meet the public expenditure for certain purposes during the year ending on March 31, 2024.
Speaking on the Appropriation Bill motion, the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Dr Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane said the purpose of this Bill is to allocate M21,795,867,793 billion to government ministries for both the Recurrent and Capital Expenditure for the 2023/2024 fiscal year.
“The sources of the amount to be allocated are the government revenues which amount to M24,127,068,283, donor grants of M1,025,668,772 and external loans of M2,607,217,244. The Bill is prepared in accordance with section 112 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of Lesotho,” she said.
Dr Matlanyane said this Bill, when acted as an act, will make provision for the issue from the consolidated fund of the Government of Lesotho of the sums necessary to meet the public expenditure for certain purposes during the year ending on the 31st March 2024.
She said once this Bill comes into operation on the first day of April 2023, it will enable the government to carry out its developmental projects as well as services to the general public as promised, saying the money granted by this Act shall be applied for the purposes of meeting the expenditure approved for each ministry.
She, therefore, extended her vote of thanks to all those who made constructive contributions to the formulation of the budget as well as the members of the National Assembly and Ministry of Finance and Development Planning staff for their sleepless nights as they worked beyond normal working hours to ensure that the budget was done.
on the same note, the Minister of Health, Mr. Selibe Mochoboroane seconded the Minister of Finance and Development Planning by commending the composition of the Eleventh Parliament, saying it possesses a wisdom that was lacking in the previous Parliaments.
He said the Eleventh parliament consists of only six former Members of Parliament plus a majority of those who are completely new in the House but have worked tremendously well to ensure that the financial estimates pass.
Mr. Mochoboroane singled out the Leader of Opposition, Mr. Mathibeli Mokhothu for making constructive criticism and for supporting the government where it is due, saying this was rare.
“We worked together to pass this budget as a unit for the benefit of the country and the nation,” he said.
The adoption of the Appropriation Bill by the House means that it will be sent to the Senate for scrutiny before getting the royal assent in order to be enacted into law.
Source: LENA 28/03/ 2023
