Finance Minister, Faumuina Tiatia Liuga, tabling the 2013-14 Supplymentry Budget

 

By Nanai Laveitiga Tuiletufuga

Government will not increase taxes to fund the $14.42 million tala Supplementary Budget for 2013-2014 now before parliament.

In tabling the supplementary, Finance Minister Faumuina Tiatia Liuga told the lawmakers that financing of the additional budget funds will come from the Asian Development Bank coupled with internal cost saving measures.

“In total, $22.6 million tala initially appropriated as loans from ADB will now be reflected as grants through this supplementary budget,�? stated the Finance Minister.

Other revenues earmarked for appropriation in this supplementary budget include;

•    Rent and leases from government ministries occupying TATTE Building

•    Increase in VAGST for government ministries

•    Savings from the Public Service Commission and Legislative Assembly

Faumuina noted that the government has closely scrutinized additional expenditures than can be absorbed against expected revenues.

“Despite the favorable fiscal conditions and promising signs of economic growth that we have witnessed in recent months, the reality is that we live in a world of uncertainties.

“In this regard, the government must stay focused and continue to exercise great prudence in closely monitoring its budget and economy overall to ensure macroeconomic stability is maintained,�? the Finance Minister concluded.

SUMMARY OF SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET

•    $2.72 million tala for 3% General Salary Increase for public service and civil list

•    $380,000 tala for teachers’ salaries realignment

•    $230,423 tala new personnel for Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture

•    $190,000 tala for Samoa National Orchestra

•    $285,000 tala to fund $5 tala monthly increase for Senior Citizens Pensioners

•    $5 million tala to assist with the SIDS Conference preparations

•    $87,365 tala to cover audit fees for project accounts

•    $150,000 tala for Oceania Medical University

•    $653,515 tala for MNRE to settle arrears and leases at TATTE Building

•    $1 million tala for MNRE to settle land compensation

•    $500,000 tala for payment of STEC lands used by Olomanu Juvenile Center

•    $120,000 tala to build new cells for Tafaigata Prison

•    $200,000 tala to assist with Samoa’s hosting of 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games

•    $470,000 tala to cover budget shortfalls in the Samoa Independent Water Scheme

•    $40,0000 tala for Parliamentary Educational Programs

•    $80,000 tala for Legislative Assembly to host 45th Presiding Officers and Clerks Conference

•    $76,620 tala for Public Service Commission

•    $1 million tala for Overseas Medical Treatment Scheme

Share This

About the author