The national budget should portray transparency, accountability, trust consistency, credibility to win the confidence and trust of people.

These are the words of the Opposition MP, Josefa Dulakiverata, while opposing the 2016/2017 National Budget in parliament yesterday.

“The budget is government’s plan for how it’s going to use the public resources to meet public needs. It is a strategic document that realizes the vision of our nation. It should provide the road map of where we want to be. In the absence of the plan, strategic plan of the national development plan from where the budget should be drawn from, I struggle to find the basis of the 2016/2017 budget. The budget supplement the second round of consultation on the national development plan will be conducted in July 2006. This is a case of putting the cart before the horse.”

He adds the budget is structured into four categories and this change in policy requires a change in the structural administrative responsibilities.