Deputies refer draft budget to relevant committees

The National Assembly Members (NAMs) on Monday referred the projected budget for 2020 to the relevant committees of the Assembly for proper scrutiny and also to have clear understanding of the budget allocation to all the ministries before a debate takes place.

When the motion was tabled for debate, Hon. Halifa Sallah, the lawmaker for Serekunda reminded his colleagues, citing Section 53 (m) and 84 of the Standing Order for the debate to be postponed till Wednesday as the bill goes for proper scrutiny.

He thus outlined the vitality of the various committees.

Last week, Finance Minister Mambury Njie tabled the draft estimate of 2020 budget, stating that the total revenue and grants in 2020 were projected at D24.47 billion, representing a reduction of 3% over 2019 figure of D25.2 billion.

The minister further explained that total expenditure and net-lending was projected to increase from D28.825 billion in 2019 to D30.048 billion in 2020, representing an increase of 4 percent.