10 Nov 2003

Solomon Island's government develops quarterly budget to resolve overspending

8:20 am on 10 November 2003

The Solomon Islands government has developed a budget plan for the December quarter of this year, which aims to overcome overspending problems.

The Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation says the plan is to re-allocate available funds, according to government priorities.

A Ministry of Finance statement admits that the 2003 Budget is well off track, expenditure is higher than expected and public funds have not been spent according to Government plans.

But it says the December quarter plan seeks to provide a better mix of expenditure by reining in areas where overspending caused the 2003 Budget to blow out, particularly the Ministry of Police.

It wants to increase spending on service delivery in areas such as health, education and funding for the provinces.