Senate passes budget bill

ON Monday night the Senate unanimously passed a bill to alter last year’s national budget, the Finance (Variation of Appropriation) (Financial Year 2018) Bill, 2019.

That year saw an extra $517 million for the Ministry of Finance and $69 million more for the Ministry of Communications.

However, deductions were made from other ministries: the Ministry of National Security lost $100 million, Health $211 million, Public Administration and Communications $61 million, Public Utilities $62 million, $100 million, Rural Development and Local Government $8 million andWorks and Transport $44 million.

The bill was piloted by Senator Allyson West, Minister in the Finance Ministry.