Maseru, March 20 — Budget estimates should be fully guided by the National Strategic Plan (NSDP) whose emphasis is on transitioning from the government led economy to the private sector economy to ensure job creation.
This was said by the Leader of Opposition, Mr. Mathibeli Mokhothu in the National Assembly on Thursday, as the House continues to debate on 2025/26 financial policy.
Mr. Mokhothu indicated that the Minister of Finance and Development Planning did not stipulate in the budget presentation how many jobs will be created this financial year as the economic outlook stands at 3.3 percent.
He said the country is hit by a severe youth unemployment rate and acknowledged that the Minister stipulated this matter in the budget policy.
However, he said the Minister said the inclusive growth fund, which amounts to about M400 Million, might intervene in job creation but did not specify how this fund would operate since the country is faced with a challenge of a weak private sector. . .
LR/ml
