Lesotho MPs are urging for a 50% reduction in government-funded international trips, reallocating funds to combat youth unemployment through job creation and vocational training. Tšeliso Moroke from the RFP emphasized the rising budget for such travels yields minimal benefits, while several MPs echoed the need for financial redirection to domestic service improvement. Alternative proposals for a more specific, case-by-case approach to cuts have also emerged, underscoring the importance of evaluating individual ministry needs.
In a recent session of the National Assembly regarding the 2025/2026 national budget, Tšeliso Moroke, a Member of Parliament from the Revolution for Prosperity (RFP), proposed that funds saved from reducing international travel be allocated to combat youth unemployment through methodologies such as job creation, internships, vocational training, mentorship programs, and entrepreneurship support. This initiative reflects a growing concern among several MPs over the government’s significant budget for globetrotting. They emphasize that budget savings should be redirected towards strategies that address the critical unemployment crisis in Lesotho.
A report from the Portfolio Committee on the Economic and Development Cluster recommended a substantial 50% reduction in government-funded international trips, with exceptions for specific entities, including the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dr. Moroke highlighted the escalating expenses related to international travel, which he claimed consumed a large portion of the national budget yet yielded minimal benefits, stating that expenses increased by 102% and 72% in the preceding financial years, respectively.
Dr. Moroke asserted that ministries ought to focus on domestic service delivery rather than wasteful international trips. In the same debate, Thabiso Lekitla from the Democratic Congress (DC) questioned the appropriateness of business-class travel, to which Dr. Moroke responded that switching to economy class would not significantly impact work efficacy, reinforcing his view that such travel incurred unnecessary costs without substantial returns.
RFP’s Moeketsi Motšoane supported Dr. Moroke’s view, asserting that funds saved from international travel cuts should be redirected to ministries facing budget challenges. He advocated for a balanced approach, recognizing the importance of government trips while emphasizing the necessity for financial sacrifices to support ministries with lower budgets adequately.
Basotho National Party (BNP) leader, Machesetsa Mofomobe, criticized the rationale behind some international trips, questioning the need for visits aimed at observing basic practices, such as street sweeping. Further supporting this notion, Motšoane proposed that the government should devise its own solutions instead of merely imitating foreign efforts.
Lesotho Congress for Democracy (LCD) leader Mothetjoa Metsing introduced an alternative suggestion advocating for a measured, case-by-case review of international travel reductions per ministry instead of imposing a blanket cut. He argued that unfair penalization could occur for ministries that have not significantly increased their travel budgets and stressed the importance of accountability by requiring ministers to justify their travel need during National Assembly discussions.
In conclusion, the debate surrounding the reduction of international travel budgets in Lesotho underscores the pressing need to allocate saved funds towards addressing youth unemployment. Several Members of Parliament have echoed the sentiment that financial sacrifices must be made to ensure effective service delivery and support struggling ministries. While a consensus on the specifics of travel cost reductions varies, the overarching priority remains clear: to redirect government resources towards effective job creation and economic development initiatives.
Original Source: allafrica.com
