First supplementary budget address 2018/2019

26 December 2018, 12:00AM

HON. SILI EPA TUIOTI

Minister of Finance

24 DECEMBER 2018

 


BUDGET ADDRESS ON THE FIRST SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET ESTIMATES 2018/19

Mr. Speaker and Honourable Members of Parliament,

 

On behalf of the Government, I would like to table the First Supplementary Budget for the financial year 2018/19 for the consideration of the House.

 

Mr. Speaker,

The Supplementary Budget laid before the House today continues with the theme of the right path in that it has been reviewed with the intent to ensure that the balance between the competing priorities of Government and the provision of essential services for the citizens of Samoa is maintained.  In doing so, I am pleased to announce that all additional expenses under the Supplementary budget presented before the House is fully funded from additional resources and the reallocation of current savings and therefore maintains the fiscal deficit estimated for the current financial year.

I am also pleased to announce that Samoa’s economy grew 0.7% in 2017/18, although lower than projections, it still reflects the effects of the developments within the country which are still in initial stages of implementation.  The growth for 2017/18 was driven primarily by the Tourism Sector as a reflection of the hosting of the many regional and global meetings within the country including the Commonwealth Broadband Pacific Forum, the Pacific Forum Leaders’ Meeting, the Global Breadfruit Summit and the first every Pacific Ministerial Shark Symposium in addition to the annual events and trends of the sector.  Assisting this growth also was the Communication Sector driven by competition resulting from the launching of the Tui Samoa Cable.  In addition, the Construction Sector continues to be one of the major sectors driving growth attributed to the many ongoing infrastructural developments of the country including the airport and wharf developments, the west coast road initiative as well as other developments within the private sector.

 

Mr. Speaker,

The review of the 2017/18 Budget outturn indicated a 0.1% of GDP surplus, far below the budgeted fiscal deficit for the year of 3.5% and the 2% medium term fiscal target established within the Budget Estimates. This is indicative of Government’s commitment in strengthening its revenue base whilst at the same time trying to contain operating expenditures.  Taxation Revenue grew 1.6% over the previous year and was sufficient to more than cover the 1% drop in collections on fees and charges for Government services.  Following three consecutive years of declines, Government expenditures increased slightly in 2017/18 by 0.6% affected by the Ministry of Finance taking over financial management of the National Health Services in January 2018.

The year 2017/18 saw the Government of Samoa begin the final phases of many of its planned large infrastructures including the the Faleolo Airport, the landing of the Tui Samoa Cable, the Parliament House as well as many of its road infrastructures and renewable energy intitiatives.

 

Mr. Speaker, 

These achievements were made in the face of many competing priorities of the Government and limited resources and are a testament to good governance in ensuring that the needs of the country are levied in the best way possible against an optimum mix of resources.

 

Mr. Speaker,

In saying that, I wish to advise that the First Supplementary Estimates laid before Parliament, includes the first of 3 phases to implement a Cost of Living Salary Adjustment (COLA) for all public servants to commence in the first pay of January 2019.  Also commencing in January 2019 is an increase in the pension for senior citizens of the country from $135 to $145 a month.

The implementation of the COLA will begin with a 5% increase for all personnel from Principals and below and a 3% increase for all ACEO positions up to below CEOs.  In January 2020, all Principals to below CEOs will get another 3% increase while a 3% increase will be introduced for CEOs, Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament and members of the Judiciary.  In January 2021, all public servants including members of Parliament will receive a final pay increase of 2% to complete the implementation of the 2019 COLA.

 

Mr. Speaker,

The decision for the COLA comes in light of the increasing cost of living since the last COLA of 2014 which has eroded the purchasing power of citizens and therefore, in choosing the right path, the Government of Samoa has reshuffled many of its developments to be staggered into forward years so that the COLA is prioritized.

 

The Supplementary Budget.

 

Mr. Speaker,

I would now like to present the key parameters of the First Supplementary Estimates for the information of Members:

The overall additional expenditures in the First Supplementary Estimates for 2018/19 totals $19.4million and includes includes $2.1million in development project initiatives received from our development partners following the approval of the Main Estimates in June 2018, these finances will go directly to projects as per the Memorandums of Understanding with these organisations.

The remaining $17.3million in additional current payments will be financed by the new and additional revenues of $11.3million and the reallocation of existing budget resources totaling $5.97million.

 

Summary of Revenues

The new and additional revenues amounts to $11.3million and exclusive of the $2.1million in new development project grants are as follows:

  • $3million will be sourced from our partnership with the Government of New Zealand through the Joint Policy Action Matrix.  The successes as illustrated through the implementation of the deliverables outlined within the JPAM have resulted in this additional grant;

$4.1million excess dividends received from Government Corporations;

$1.8m increase in Income Tax arising from the salary adjustments;

$2.1m increase in VAGST Private Sector in anticipation of increased consumption due to the COLA;

• $331,945 in additional VAGST created by the additional expenditures requested.

Total funds expected as a result of the reallocation of existing budget resources will generate $5.97million as follows:

• $5.8million from the Statutory Vote - These are $1.3million in savings accummulated from appropriations to cover the cost of foreign exchange, $3.3million savings from VAGST refunds based on accounts currently with the Ministry for Revenue and $1.2million savings from domestic debt servicing due to completion of Polynesian Airlines’ loan with the UTOS;

• $165,000 from the Ministry of Finance - Identified savings from counterpart funds appropriated for the Vaisigano Bridge as well as the Agribusiness Project.

 

Summary of Additional Expenditures:

The total amount of additional current payments exclusive of development projects total $17.3million and are as follows:

$5.2million topped up to the personnel envelopes of all the 36 Ministries and Corporations financed under the Main Estimates to facilitate the COLA to be effective in the first pay of January 2019;

$677,529 additional for the Statutory Vote:

• $88,200 to finance the readjusted salaries of the judiciary in line with the recommendations of the Remuneration Tribunal approved by Cabinet in June 2018;

• $589,329 in principal and interest payments for the STEC’s default loan as per FK(18)32;

• $30,266 for the Office of the Ombudsman to facilitate a Cabinet approved salary adjustment that requires an amendment to the Appropriation Act;

$202,600 for the Ministry of Agriculture for the following:

• $28,800 membership fee for FFA;

• $143,800 contract variation in the rent paid for the FAO due to delays in finalizing new premises;

• $30,000 for the IFAD replenishment fund;

$585,900 to the Ministry of Education to top up the following expenditures;

• $125,700 for the salaries of new school inspectors that were recruited by the MESC including their transport allowances;

• $282,100 for the Long Service Benefits of Teachers who have already made claims for payout;

• $178,100 for End of Contract Benefits for School Principals and Vice Principals.

$2.4million additional under the Ministry of Finance for the following:

• $65,000 to top up VAGST for development projects;

• $100,000 additional required for the audit fees of development projects now due;

• $1million capital injection for the STEC as per FK(18)32 to buffer operations of the Corporation while their masterplan is being compiled;

• $636,747 remaining on full payment for the transfer of the MedCen building to the Ministry of Finance to be paid to the DBS;

• $626,820 increase in the below line appropriation to finance the increase in the pension;

$203,100 for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to pay for utilities owing on the operation of the Early Warning System sirens as part of its co-location with Digicel;

$177,820 to the Ministry for Justice and Courts Administration to adjust the salaries of judges as recommended by the remuneration tribunal and approved by Cabinet;

$232,188 to the Office of the Electoral Commission to cover rent not appropriated for DBS Building and NPF Plaza;

$284,913 for the Office of the Legislative Assembly to cover the remaining months of the financial year to await decision on their new location or new building;

$5million to the National Health Services to cover $3m in personnel overexpenditure and $2m to cover the OVT;

$2.26million for the Ministry for Prisons and Corrections to cover the remaining construction payments for the current phase of the Tanumalala Prison.

 

Mr. Speaker,

The $2.1million in Development Expenditures being declared in this Supplementary Estimates are as follows:

$267,643 assistance from the Governments of Australia and New Zealand to assist in hosting the midterm review of the Samoa Pathway meeting;

$560,069 assistance from the NZ MFAT for the Ministry of Prisons and Corrections Services targetting service improvement;

$1.1million from the NZ MFAT for the NUS Nursing Workforce Development Programme;

$101,368 from the UNEP to support UNCCD 2018 National Reporting;

$101,368 from the UNEP to support the interim report on the Nagoya Protocol.

  

 

Conclusion

 

Mr. Speaker and Honourable Members, 

 

The Supplementary Budget before the House is a product of careful consideration to ensure macroeconomic stability is maintained and at the same time Government is in a position to deliver the services demanded by the public. Government will continue to ensure quality spending and prudent allocation of resources so we can deliver on an improved quality of life for everyone.

 

 

Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members,

 

On behalf of the Government, I take the opportunity to wish you and Honourable members and every citizen of Samoa a Joyful  Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. 

 

 

Soifua 

26 December 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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