The Ministry of Fisheries is under increased scrutiny after it was disclosed that it left $1.4 million unspent from its 2023 budget, which represents nine percent of its adjusted total allocation of $15.5 million. Staffing delays attributed to high turnover rates have been identified as a major factor contributing to this underspending, preventing the timely filling of essential roles within the ministry.
Despite this financial shortfall, the Ministry managed to generate $1.8 million in revenue during the same timeframe. An audit report from the Auditor General yielded an unmodified opinion, confirming that the Ministry’s financial management was sound throughout the year, with timely submissions of financial statements and no significant adjustments required.
However, the underspending has led to inefficiencies in critical areas such as payroll expenses. While overall financial activities, including capital expenditures, were mostly in line with budget expectations, minor discrepancies were observed in categories including travel and maintenance.
This issue of budget utilization efficiency has sparked broader discussions among government ministries. Member of Parliament Jone Usamate criticized the government for slow project implementations and the excessive funds left unspent, raising concerns about the implications for public trust in government services.
Finance Minister Biman Prasad highlighted that certain ministries struggle with effective budget utilization due to difficulties in recruitment and navigating tender processes. In response, a new monitoring and evaluation unit has been created to promote efficient use of allocated funds across all government sectors.
While the unspent budget in the Ministry of Fisheries reflects existing challenges, the effective oversight indicated in the audit and the proactive initiatives established by the Ministry of Finance suggest a concerted effort to improve future budget execution. This optimistic perspective underscores a commitment to enhancing public service delivery and maintaining financial accountability in government operations.
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