Last Monday was Budget Day, and I took the opportunity of outlining the budget procedures. I also examined a number of issues in the aftermath of the 2012 budget experience. I referred to the Chief Justice’s ruling and expressed the view that the National Assembly was wrong to alter the proposed budget on the Ethnic Relations Commission since the latter is a constitutional body. However, recourse to the Contingencies Fund to restore other aspects of the budget affected by the cuts, not only undermines the Assembly’s authority to approve of all public expenditure, but it also places the Minister of Finance in an extremely difficult position to justify that the criteria for authorizing advances from the Fund have been met.
I also commented on Article 218 requiring Parliamentary approval of all revenues and expenditures of the country, and I stated that any expenditure from such revenues without such approval is a violation of the said article. In addition, with at least 70 per cent of public expenditure relating to the acquisition of goods, and services and the execution of works, there is an urgent need
