By Alusine Sesay
Sierra Leone – Minister of Finance, Hon. Sheku Fantamadi Bangura, has emphasized the need for fiscal discipline as Parliament debated the 2026 Supplementary Budget. He underscored that government revenue must be managed prudently to sustain administration costs after meeting debt obligations.
“We must be disciplined enough to ensure that the revenue we collect can run our administration after meeting our debt obligations,” Bangura told lawmakers during the debate.
The Supplementary Budget, tabled before Parliament, seeks to adjust government spending in response to rising fiscal pressures, including debt servicing, inflationary trends, and increased demands on social services. The Finance Minister highlighted that the adjustments are designed to balance debt repayment commitments with the need to maintain essential public services.
Key Highlights of the Supplementary Budget
- Debt servicing: A significant portion of the revised allocations will go toward meeting external and domestic debt obligations.
- Revenue mobilization: The government aims to strengthen tax collection and improve efficiency in public financial management.
- Public expenditure: Spending will be reprioritized to focus on critical sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure.
- Economic stability: The adjustments are intended to safeguard macroeconomic stability while ensuring that government operations remain functional.
Bangura stressed that without discipline in revenue management, the country risks undermining its ability to meet obligations and sustain governance. The debate reflects growing concern in Parliament about balancing fiscal responsibility with the need to protect vulnerable citizens from economic shocks.