Lesotho MPs are urging a significant reduction in the government budget for international trips to address youth unemployment. Proposed savings should be redirected towards job creation and vocational training. The Portfolio Committee proposed a 50% reduction, with exceptions for certain ministries, while the debate underscored differing opinions on the necessity of international travel and its financial implications.
In Lesotho, a call has been made by Members of Parliament (MPs) to significantly reduce the government’s budget for international trips. This proposal, highlighted by Tšeliso Moroke, an MP from the Revolution for Prosperity (RFP) party, aims to divert funds saved from these reductions towards addressing youth unemployment through various job creation initiatives and vocational training programs.
During the National Assembly’s debate on the upcoming national budget for 2025/2026, several MPs voiced their concerns over the extensive financial allocation for international travel, suggesting that savings should not only focus on cost-cutting but also on investing in programs that confront the escalating unemployment crisis in the nation.
A report from the Portfolio Committee on the Economic and Development Cluster advocated for a 50% cut in government-funded international travel, allowing exceptions for essential ministries, including the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dr. Moroke expressed that international travel has increasingly burdened the national budget while generating minimal benefits, with recent financial years witnessing steep hikes in travel expenditures.
The debate further illuminated concerns regarding the class of travel, with MP Thabiso Lekitla questioning the necessity of maintaining business-class options for trips. Dr. Moroke responded that even transitioning to economy-class travel would not adversely affect ministerial duties, advocating for a more focused approach on domestic service delivery instead of frequent international engagements.
RFP MP Moeketsi Motšoane supported Dr. Moroke’s motion, emphasizing that savings from cut travel expenses should benefit ministries facing budget deficiencies, as all government-related travel needs to be balanced with essential developmental work. Machesetsa Mofomobe, leader of the Basotho National Party (BNP), criticized certain government travel practices, particularly questioning the need for benchmarking routine tasks from other nations.
Mr. Motšoane reinforced the notion that it is imperative for Lesotho to devise its own solutions rather than mimic foreign methods, prompting calls for a significant reduction in international travel across ministries. Conversely, Mothetjoa Metsing, leader of the Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD), offered an amendment suggesting that travel cuts should consider each ministry’s unique budgetary conditions and statutory duties to avoid unjust penalization.
Metsing proposed that ministers be required to present justifications for their international travel plans to the National Assembly, emphasizing the potential job creation roles of key ministries such as agriculture, manufacturing, trade, finance, and foreign affairs, especially noting that the manufacturing sector’s labor requirements present substantial employment opportunities.
In summary, Members of Parliament in Lesotho are advocating for a reduction in the government’s budget for international trips to redirect saved funds towards addressing youth unemployment. The proposal highlights the need for a strategic approach to travel expenditures, prioritizing domestic developments over international engagements. While some MPs suggest a blanket reduction, others advocate for case-by-case assessments to ensure fair treatment of ministries based on their unique budgets and obligations, ultimately aiming to foster job creation and economic growth.
Original Source: allafrica.com
