ST. GEORGE’S, Grenada, CMC – The Grenada parliament Friday approved the government’s supplementary budget of EC$143.9 million (One EC dollar=US$0.37 cents) with opposition legislators not supporting the fiscal measure, claiming a lack of information for the allocations being requested.
The Dickon Mitchell government said EC$133.4 million will go towards capital expenditure while EC$15.5 million will be for recurrent expenditure. The Ministry of Finance is getting the largest allocation of EC$60.5 million, followed by the Ministry of Infrastructure, Physical Development, Public Utilities, Civil Aviation and Transport with EC$25.1 million.
The supplementary budget is in addition to the EC$1.35 billion approved in December 2022 for the fiscal year that started on January 1.
The government said that the funds would be used for purchasing land, vehicles, and software for government ministries, subvention to statutory bodies, and assistance to an educational non-governmental organization to assist students with tuition fees.
“Mr. Speaker, the sums both recurrent and capital are before members of the House and the appropriate ministries as well as votes.. are also before the members of the House,” Prime Minister Mitchell said, noting that “perhaps the request to have it presented and detailed is what causing consternation” as he provided a summary of the funds being sought.
“I certainly give full support to the motion and encourage all members of the House to do so,” Prime Minister Mitchell said.
But Opposition Leader, Dr. Keith Mitchell, said, “I cannot support this motion,” telling legislators that while the allocation requested in some areas is understandable, he has not seen nor was provided with sufficient explanation that will satisfy the justification for the additional money.
Referring specifically to the EC$7.5 million allocated for the start of the island’s 50th anniversary of political independence, Mitchell said that he is yet to receive a breakdown of activities for the 2024 independence celebration, which will commemorate Grenada’s 50th anniversary on February 7.
“I do not know, and I have not seen any serious explanation, except some feeble attempt, very weak and feeble attempt in the supplementary document,” said opposition member Clarice Modeste.
But despite the objection, the government used its majority to approve the motion, which will now go before the Senate on August 29.
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