Letuka Chafotsa
THE Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship and Parliamentary Affairs,on Tuesday and Wednesday,held a two-day workshop to draft the ministry’s final Budget Framework Paper (BFP) at Lesotho Sun Hotel in Maseru.
The workshop was attendedby district administrators, district council secretaries, local government economic planners and accountants as well as Ministry of Finance budget officers from across the country.
Ordinarily, BFPs are developed to assess the recurrent and capital expenditure for a period of up to three years, taking into account the ongoing costs of newly-commissioned investments.
The BFP is an analysis of economic and fiscal trends, and the assumptions underlying the medium-term macroeconomic and fiscal framework of the budget.It also serves toarticulate of the government’s policy priorities and how these are reflected in the budget,and a statement on the key fiscal risks that may affect budget execution.
Speaking at the workshop, the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftainship and Parliamentary Affairs Principal Secretary, ‘Maroane Liahelo Dingiswayo, said commitment was needed for the district and central government management to construct a sound BFP especially when the ministry is on the verge of the decentralisation process.
“The ministry is now driving the national decentralization policy aimed at fast-tracking and bringing about sustainable and equitable local economic development as a basis for enhancing citizens’ participation in governance,” Ms Dingiswayo said.
“We hope that commitment and dedication will help in the achievement of the overall objective of the ministry.”
Ms Dingiswayo added that the workshop would also assist in the formulation of the Local Government Five Year Strategicplan which is expected to end in 2019 as well as chieftainship laws in need of a review.
“Your participation in this process will help in the formulation of an inclusive budget for the nation to benefit all citizens and enable condition for the service delivery,” she said.
“We hope the BFP will address the key areas of concern in the ministry to enhance the local government services for better delivery of what local government has planned.”
According to Ms Dingiswayo, when formulating the BFP, district management should take into consideration the national decentralisation policy which seeks to strengthen local fiscal autonomy, employment and poverty reduction by empowering local communities and local governments to explore and utilise local potential, prioritise and proactively engage in economic transformation activities at local, national and regional levels, as well as fiscal discipline.
At the same event, Local Government, Chieftainship and Parliamentary Affairs ministry Acting Director of Decentralisation, Makhetha Mokuoane also shed light on the National Decentralisation Policy Implementation Strategy.
Mr Mokuoane explained that while they work on the BFP, district managers should bear in mind the awareness campaign of the National Decentralisation Policy is ongoing, and ensure the BFP is aligned to the implementation of the policy.
“Devolution of service delivery functions and functionaries by sector ministries and establishment of effective and sustainable fiscal decentralisation and public management framework,” Mr Mokuoane said.
Mr Mokuoane also highlighted the need for line ministries to set aside resources for the effective coordination and support in the implementation of the policy.
