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NEW “YOUTH CENTRE” OPENS WITHIN A MILE OF ANOTHER

Every nook cranny that James Michel can find should contain an edifice dedicated to the youth and paid for by the government, it appears. This time it is a new youth centre in Victoria, barely a mile away from another youth centre at Mont Fleuri, which it appears the youngsters are not overtly frequenting. Once again SBC afforded Mr Michel prime time to make political statements in an attempt to enhance his image for election purposes.

Michel did not say from which part of the budget the money to build the new youth centre came from. But it is evident the capital expenditure budget is being busted as completely safe and sound concrete pavements are being ripped up to be replaced with little red brick ones; roads which are relatively usable are being ripped up to be resurfaced. Money, it appears is no object, especially the multitude of cheques being handed out for building materials, refrigerators and cookers by the Ministry of Local Government, drawn on a mysterious bank account held by the Savings Bank.

This year being an election year there will be no holds barred as far as government expenditure is concerned as in the past. In 1998, which was an election year, actual recurrent expenditure increased by R 303 million compared to the previous year with R 250 million being over budget spending in violation of the Constitution. In addition total capital expenditure spending – which was entirely borrowings – was R 180 million more than the previous year but R 190 million over budget.

In 2002, which was also an election year for a new National Assembly total actual recurrent expenditure shot up by R 102 million over the previous year, while the budget overspending was R187 million. Actual capital spending was R132 million more than the previous year but R 187 million was over budget.

With this level of irresponsibility and non-transparency in public finance, the prospect of an early resolution to our foreign exchange crisis looks decidedly bleak.