This Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) remains one of the top revenue collectors for the government over the years and is increasing.
This was revealed by the Permanent Secretary (PS) Dr Christian Ramofafia during the recent Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing at the National Parliament conference room.
The PS during the occasion revealed figures of revenues being raked by the country over the last three years.
“In the last two years we collected SBD$170 million and it has increases to SBD$216 million for last year,” the PS stated.
“We collected 100 million last three years and estimates SBD$164 million for last year but the amount we collect increases hugely from our estimated target,” he added.
“But I can assure you that it will increase further this year because the first three months we collected SBDS$200 million that goes beyond the figures of the previous years in the same length of time,” he said.
He said, that despite the $2 million reduction in their recurrent budget the ministry will continue to work hard to scoop more revenue in fisheries.
He added by saying the Ministry is comfortable with the development budget but not with the recurrent budget.
“Recurrent budget does not reflect the work in the ministry but hopefully support by donors will help,” he said.
He further stated that funding to support conditions of his staff such as annual leave were not included but he will look at possibility of vying other divisions within the Ministry.
Ramofafia stated that this reduction comes because other commitments assigned under the Ministry, particularly those related to infrastructure development and land were shifted to Ministry of Lands and Ministry of Infrastructure Development.
By AATAI JOHN
