The Minister of Information, Communication, Science, Technology and Innovation (MICSTI), Ms. Nthati Moorosi has requested M241,330,995 for the recurrent budget for the financial year 2023 /24.
Ms. Moorosi said that the money is intended to among others pay salaries for employees, operating costs, travel and transport as well as the acquisition of non-financial assets. She added that the total of the capital budget is M251, 330,995 which she said is for transforming broadcasting mode and e-government, saying this will help the ministry to achieve its mandate though the budget is little.
The funds requested will also be used to upgrade the old and outdated equipment at the Lesotho National Broadcasting Service (LNBS).
She said the current equipment being used at the national television is outdated, saying if it breaks it will be hard to replace hence stressing the need to change equipment to digital so that they could have quality broadcasting at all times.
She noted that according to the National Strategic Development Plan II (NSDP II), her ministry is entrusted or earmarked as one of the sectors to help and contribute to the country’s economic growth saying they could achieve with quality resources.
The Minister added that the ministry is responsible for the installation and connectivity of the Internet for the government, noting that this service is costly hence they are reviewing ways of cutting the costs.
She added that the Postal Service is part of the ministry though it is able to pay for its operating costs, saying the ministry pays salaries, fuel and lubricants for Postal Service.
On the other hand, Ms. Moorosi said for revenue collection for the fiscal year 2023/24, the ministry aims to collect about M19,060,950.
Commenting on the challenges, she said other ministries have not paid for the ministry’s service of internet installation and connectivity. She added that tower equipment is vandalized, and this affects both state radio and television broadcasting including all other radio stations.
She said the ministry lack resources such as vehicles, office space, computers and other machinery saying they also face difficulties in getting equipment as it is expensive.
Meanwhile, the Appropriation Bill has allocated the amount of M21,795,867,793 billion for the 2023 /24 fiscal year to the government ministries for both recurrent and capital expenditure.
Source: LENA 29/03/2023
