Lesotho’s members of Parliament are urging a drastic reduction in international travel budgets, advocating that saved funds be redirected to initiatives targeting youth unemployment, including job creation and vocational training. The proposal highlights the significant and increasing costs associated with travel that yield minimal benefits. Calls for a balanced approach suggest that reductions should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis across ministries to prioritize crucial sectors contributing to job creation.
In Lesotho, members of Parliament have advocated for a significant reduction in budget allocations for international travel, asserting that the funds saved should be redirected to initiatives aimed at combating youth unemployment. Tšeliso Moroke, a Member of Parliament from the Revolution for Prosperity (RFP), raised this issue during discussions on the national budget for 2025/2026, emphasizing the need for job creation, vocational training, and entrepreneurship support to address the increasing unemployment rate.
During the debate, it was noted that the Portfolio Committee on the Economic and Development Cluster suggested a 50% reduction in government-funded international trips, allowing exceptions for select ministries. Moroke pointed out that expenses related to official travel have escalated drastically, consuming a larger share of the national budget with diminishing returns for the country.
Dr. Moroke specifically mentioned that the government’s travel budget had seen alarming increases, rising by 102% in one fiscal year and by 72% the following year. He proposed that ministries focus on improving domestic service delivery, arguing that excessive international travel detracts from essential development projects.
In a related statement, Thabiso Lekitla, a Democratic Congress MP, questioned if the elimination of business-class travel for officials could help reduce costs. Moroke reiterated that even transitioning to economy-class travel would not obstruct their work, emphasizing that the financial burden of international travel yields little benefit for the nation.
Moeketsi Motšoane, another RFP MP, supported Moroke’s call for travel reductions, insisting that saved funds should be allocated to underfunded ministries needing budgetary support. He acknowledged the importance of governmental trips but advocated for sacrifices to improve funding for essential initiatives.
Machesetsa Mofomobe, the Basotho National Party leader, criticized the reasoning behind certain government trips, querying the necessity of travelling abroad for minor tasks such as studying street-cleaning methods. Both Motšoane and Mofomobe advocated for the government to create localized solutions instead of relying on lessons from abroad.
Mothetjoa Metsing, leader of the Lesotho Congress for Democracy, proposed a more nuanced approach, urging that travel reductions be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for each ministry rather than imposing blanket cuts. He pinpointed the need for ministers to clarify their travel requirements and suggested prioritizing budgets for ministries that significantly contribute to job creation.
Metsing highlighted sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing, where effective funding could yield substantial employment opportunities, asserting that strategic budget allocations are crucial for driving Lesotho’s economic development.
In conclusion, the discourse among Lesotho’s members of Parliament reflects a strong consensus on the need for a significant reduction in funding for international travel by government officials. The redirected funds should support essential domestic programs aimed at combating youth unemployment through job creation initiatives and vocational training. A nuanced approach to travel budget reductions may be necessary to ensure that essential ministries are not unfairly impacted while still addressing fiscal responsibility. Ultimately, it is critical for the government to prioritize local development initiatives to yield beneficial outcomes for the nation.
Original Source: allafrica.com
