By: Binta Jaite
Legislators Sulayman Saho of Central Badibou and Muhammed Kanteh of Busumbala have asked the finance and economic affairs minister Seedy Keita to withdraw the 2025 budget estimates.
The finance and economic affairs minister recently tabled the budget estimates before the House but according to the two legislators, the proposed budget falls short of addressing the plight of Gambians. They described the budget as inimical to the country’s economy.
“I am disappointed that the budget is not reflecting the aspirations of the citizens,’’ argued NAM Saho in an interview with The Voice.
He contended that the budget lacks diversification and investment elements to promote growth.
“Social protection measures indicated in the budget are fake,’’he further contended.
Hon. Saho argued that the proposed budget will promote inflation and mismanagement of public funds, emphasizing that the budget did not make provisions for funds to “rescue”the country in the event natural disasters occur as, according to him, the funds allocated by the proposed budget for disaster management is paltry.
“The fisheries sector is in a horrible condition and what is a budget without enough funding to support the fishermen, who contribute immensely to the development of the country?’’ he stated.
The Central Baddibu NAM maintained that minister Keita violated the law by not submitting the budget estimates in time as stipulated by the Constitution.
“So, he should redo the budget again because the budget was prepared in a hurry. The proposed budget must be properly looked at. Looking at the proposed allocation of D50M to the Office of the President for ‘Meet the People Tour’ alone while hospitals in the country lack medicines is worrisome,’’ he added as he urged his colleagues to reject the proposed budget.
NAM Muhammad Kanteh argued that the budget “is bad news to Gambians”, asserting that taxpayers will eventually face a lot of difficulties to pay the loans in the proposed budget.
According to him, the debt referral period of the previous years has come to an end.
“And certainly, the 2025 estimated budget is overrated to cater for the referral period which, without doubt, will increase the cost of goods and services. The budget is not realistic as it was overwhelming estimated, making its realization of budgetary allocation to ministries and departments unattainable,” said the Busumbala NAM in an interview with this medium.