The text, which was adopted last week by the National Assembly, provoked strong reactions from the opposition and civil society. The latter had condemned “a budget voted in a hurry and contrary to the needs and challenges of the people”. Yesterday afternoon, the Rohy movement, which brings together associations across the country, organized a citizens’ debate in the capital Antananarivo to better involve Madagascar’s use of public funds.
From our correspondent in Antananarivo
In the room many hands are raised and questions are heard. In the audience, Henintsoa, student. “I came here because I wanted to know how this financial account developed and who is responsible for the measures taken during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.”
In this context, after Covid-19, does the government choose the right priorities in this text that will regulate the country’s public spending for the coming year? This is the issue that was discussed for just over two hours on Friday 4 December with a representative of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Finance.
The increase in the Ministry of Sports, in particular for the construction of arenas, but the reduction in the health budget, support measures for companies almost non-existent when they have been hit hard by the restrictions linked to the Covid-19 epidemic. The Government’s priorities in the Finance Bill question the public.
Demand for more resources for health
The representative of the Ministry of Economy, Mihary Rabearison, tries to answer and emphasizes “the exceptions from medical equipment and personal protective equipment”, as well as “rehabilitation of hospitals”. Building infrastructure stimulates the economy and creates jobs, he said. But he makes contact with several topics. The door is open to make changes because the text still has to go through the Senate, he argues.
Changing lines is what civil society hopes for. “Among other things, we hope that the workforce in health will be strengthened,” explains Hony Radert, Secretary General of the Collectif des Citiens et des Organisations Citennes and a member of the Rohy movement. They were reduced in the financial account. With regard to goods and services, even though the Ministry of Finance said that it should have no impact, we have clearly seen that, for example, mobile services could not reach communities due to fuel shortages. We hope that will change. ”
The vote on the text at the upper house level is scheduled for next week.
.
