Governance Lecturer at IPAM, Dr Victor Moinina has raised concerns over what he described as shifting patterns of inefficiency in public spending, warning that “the loopholes have been closed but the gutters have been opened.”

Speaking on AYV On Sunday, Dr Moinina linked the rising cost of presidential travel and the expanding wage bill to broader governance and fiscal challenges.

He said that while efforts may have been made to close certain avenues of waste, new and less visible forms of inefficiency could be emerging within the system.

Dr Moinina noted that high-level official travel, if not properly justified or regulated, can place pressure on public finances.

He also highlighted concerns over the growing wage bill, stating that increases in salaries, hiring, or allowances could limit resources available for development projects if not matched by productivity and fiscal capacity.

He warned that such trends could affect spending on key sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure.

The remarks come amid ongoing public debate on government expenditure and fiscal management.