Govt releases sh2.4 trillion to ministries, districts

By Charles Etukuri

Contractors, suppliers, civil servants who have not been paid can finally afford a smile after the Government released sh2, 352,963,161,920 to ministries, departments and local governments for the first quarter which starts in July and ends in September this financial year.

The release is in line with the 2013/14 budgetary allocations endorsed by Parliament last month and the vote on account.

The acting commissioner in charge of budget and evaluation in the Ministry of Finance, Laban Mbulamuko, disclosed that the total release for the quarter was sh2, 352,963,161,920.

Mbulamuko said the Government wanted the beneficiaries to utilise every penny to ensure that no penny is returned to the consolidated fund.

“We are urging the ministries, agencies and local governments to implement the programmes now that the monies have been released in accordance with the budgets submitted for the first financial quarter.

He also urged the public to be on the lookout now that the funds had been released and published so that they could benefit from the funds.

Of the total shs sh2,352,963,161,920 disbursed sh1,794,556,473,959 is intended for the ministries and government agencies, sh17,854,237,241 for referral hospitals, sh23,376,779,092 for the missions abroad.

Sh598,898,147,766 is intended for salaries and wages of civil servants; sh713,562,164,894 was allocated to development programmes.

“The ministry has sent the schedules of release to the MPs to ensure they follow up the funds as they trickle down to the beneficiaries,” he said.

Mbulamuko also said if the money was properly put to use, by the respective ministries and agencies then service delivery would be improved. “It will now mean that there is an improvement in service delivery since the contractors who have certificates of compliance for the works done like road construction can be able to be paid in time and the districts will be able to buy scholastic materials for the schools and teaching will be made easier. They will also be able to pay their workers since the money is there.”

Mbale Chief Administrative Office (CAO), Bernard Otim welcomed the release saying the district had not paid some of its staff and several other contractors.

The Government will release the second quarter in October.