Leader of the main opposition All People’s Congress (APC) in Parliament, Hon. Chernor Maju Ramadan Bah has told colleague MPs ‘not to play politics with the Economy’. Wrapping up the debate during the presentation of the Supplementary Government Budget and Statement of Economic and Financial Policies for the Financial Year, 2022 in the Well of Parliament on Friday, Hon. Chericoco, as he’s fondly called, said they know that the economy is challenged and that the Minister was sincere enough to say it.

“What is important is to ensure that the budget works” he stated and went on to ask the Ministry of Finance to continue to engage Parliament on the challenges on time, and not when they have gone beyond control.

Leader of Government Business Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma commended the team from the Ministry of Finance for their foresight to the economy. He spoke about reasons for the Supplementary Budget and other related challenges on the globe using comparative analysis of inflation, compounded with thereUkraine/Russia war.

He said it was better for all and sundry to address the problem, supporting the harmonization of the Wage that Bill.

Hon. Nyuma emphasized economic solving problems also and commended the Minister.

He spoke about the prediction wages of food shortage and the Government’s subsidies to Agriculture in order to ameliorate food security.

He categorically stated that fuel said the subsidy is not available and shambles went on to speak about mitigation of the projection.

He spoke about policy to support farmers in light of food security, and asked all to Minister to proffer solutions.

Chairman of the Finance Committee, Hon Francis Amara Kaisamba advised his colleague MPs to confine their debate on Standing Order 69, which he said speaks to the the matter before the house.

He said they are pretty sure that money would be available to address the imaging issues. According to him, the Minister of Finance had given reasons for the Supplementary Budget and related challenges. He expressed that the Minister stated various institutions that would benefit from the Supplementary Budget and also public debts management, salaries, and wages among others. He also cited development activities.

The Chairman of Agriculture Committee in Parliament, Hon. Salieu Osman Sesay said the economy is in shambles and raised concern that, bringing the Supplementary Budget would cause more inflation. The MP went on to urge the Minister to explain, if the supplementary Budget would not increase the food price and affected the cost of fuel. He used the opportunity to ask the government to subsidize the fuel price for the people and went on to say some

MDAS have not benefited from the previous budget that was approved, adding that, the Supplementary Budget is so huge.

Hon. SOS indicated energy as one MDA that is receiving a Supplementary Budget more than its previous budget. He decried Road Maintenance Fund for not implementing projects properly as contractors are not doing well recalling instances. He asked for an effective monitoring process on projects implemented.