House opens up budget process as it holds first public outreach session

The Lower House Finance Committee held its first public outreach meeting in Mogadishu yesterday where it sought to educate the public on the budget making process and collect public views on the national expenditure.

The Finance committee secretary Abdullahi Mohamed Noor said parliament was opening up the budget process to allow public input and create awareness among Somalis in a process which has over the years been a preserve of government and parliament.

This exercise will be continuous and we will always endevour to involve the public in the budget making process, Noor said. The lawmaker took attendants through the budget making process noting it was imperative the public participate in such an important exercise.

“The Federal Ministry sends a notice letter to all the concerned government organs to send their needs or suggestions within a limited period. These responses will pass channels in the Finance Ministry e.g. budget section, head of departments, then the Minister,” said Noor.

Along the process, heads of government organs will meet the Federal Finance Minister before the budget is forwarded to the Cabinet Ministers. After they approve, the budget will be tabled in the Lower House of Parliament.
Noor said the 2018 national budget will be consultative to ensure public participation.