MPS SEE BUSINESS AS USUAL IN THE 2017/18 BUDGET

MPs paying attention to the Minister of Finance and Planning Dr. Phillip Mpango (not in picture) as he read the 2017/2018 budget estimates in the Parliament, Dodoma yesterday.

Speaking at Bunge grounds after Finance and Planning minister Philip Mpango presented the framework for the next financial year yesterday, some MPs said it was business as usual as much was not attained in development expenditure.

Dodoma. Some MPs see the next Budget as having nothing new, since 60 per cent of money for development projects for 2016/17 is yet to be released.

Speaking at Bunge grounds after Finance and Planning minister Philip Mpango presented the framework for the next financial year yesterday, some MPs said it was business as usual as much was not attained in development expenditure.

“We have only one quarter of the year ahead and more than 60 per cent of the development expenditure is yet to be released….it’s obvious that we cannot achieve it,” lamented Mr David Silinde (Momba—Chadema).

He said the new estimates were likely to be the same as the current ones althoug the government had increased the Budget from Sh29.5 trillion to Sh31.699 trillion for the next financial year.

Mr Zitto Kabwe (Kigoma Urban-ACT Wazalendo) said the envisaged budget was unrealistic as the current collections were about 52 per cent of the Budget while the fourth quarter of the financial year was approaching.

“Most of the development budget went to buying Air Tanzania Company Ltd aircraft and railway expansion but no much was released for development projects. Why? ”

He also explained that failure of Tanzania to secure loans from the international markets was a sign that it was no more favourable to lenders due to its unpredictable policies.

The chairperson of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee, Ms Naghenjwa Kaboyoka, said the Controller and Auditor General should be given more funds to monitor the implementation of development projects.

“To be effective in development expenditure, we need to borrow more and increase our own financing from other sources. Relying on foreign development partners is not good and that is a lesson for us this time,” she said.

Mr Hussein Bashe (Nzega Urban — CCM) said the budget objectives were almost the same as last year’s and did not explain how exactly they would help industrialise the country.

He was also concerned that although the budget stressed the importance industrialising Tanzania, there was no link between factories and agriculture, which employs more than 70 per cent of the workforce.

“We won’t make a dent in poverty if industries are not integrated with agriculture. Yes, GDP will grow but that does not necessarily mean that poverty will decrease,” he warned.

According to him, the budget will increase due to increased taxes but the development expenditure will still depend much on foreign donors.

Mr Innocent Bashungwa (Karagwe — CCM) is optimistic with the coming Budget but would like emphasis to be put on agriculture, which employs many people.

Source: The Citizen