Facing scrutiny from the main opposition over the need for supplementary financing for a second time in five months, the Government yesterday used its majority to approve $47.3 billion in additional expenditure and highlighted a range of projects including 1,000 community roads.
Defending the amount that was being sought before the National Assembly, government ministers explained that the money was required to accelerate infra-structure projects and cushion the rising cost of items and services such as fuel, urgent drainage and irrigation works, dietary supplies and security services. The items and services, it was explained when procured, amounted to a cost higher than projected for in the 2022 “historic” $552.9B national budget.