Domitien Ndihokubwayo, Burundi’s finance minister presented a draw law outlining a number of austerity measures to the National Assembly on 22 December for 2017. Parliamentarians then discussed the austerity policy. The new budget was eventually voted in by 11O MPs out of the 111.
Domitien Ndihokubwayo, the finances minister” A strict management named austerity policy must be applied.”
2017 will be characterised by a moderate recovery in economic activity, which will mobilise additional budget revenues overall compared to the year 2016, estimated around 32.8 billion BIF, said the finances minister.
«These are still insufficient to meet the additional costs estimated at around BIF367.8 billion from which strict management called an “austerity policy” must be applied”, the finance minister said.
The Burundian government should set an example in the implementation of austerity policy, says Leopold Hakizimana MP, calling on the ministers to reduce their luxury. «As it has been said in the draw law, we have to apply spending control measures. However, Burundian ministers like to visit luxury places when they go abroad. Is this behaviour not the opposite of an austerity policy? » Dénis Karera asks.
According to Fabien Banciryanino MP, it is the general population who will suffer the consequences. «I would like to know what you mean by this austerity policy. Some ministers own more than three vehicles. I think this policy only concerns the general population who are going to pay high taxes “, Banciryanino says.
Dénis karera wanted to know when the finance minister plans the austerity policy will end «I wish it would be over now. But the economic situation is not one individual’s task. All Burundians have to contribute», says the finance minister, calling on Burundian population to work hard.
To the question about the ministers “luxury”, the finance minister said the holidays are not about prestige or luxury but that it is important to relax in order to be able to continue their work, he adds.
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