Randa Habib
One does not need to be a financial expert to assume that the JD1.1 billion budget deficit is a result of reckless spending.
Lack of control of expenditures, be it current or urgent, as well as the unsustainable implementation of decisions to limit expenses have been a recurrent problem over the years.
" Cutting down on cars may save some money, while abolishing commissions would have limited financial effect because most of their employees are likely to be reassigned to the public sector " For example, a government decision four years ago to replace luxury cars for officials with ordinary ones lasted a few months. Today, the annual running cost of official cars is JD86 million, excluding Greater Amman Municipality (GAM) vehicles.
The government announced a plan to merge or scrap some institutions or commissions in order to limit expenses. While this plan sounds great, one wonders if it was studied carefully and whether it falls under the category of “popular” decisions that are taken hastily to calm people down.
My skepticism comes particularly from the fact that this same government has created a council months ago.
Cutting down on cars may save some money, while abolishing commissions would have limited financial effect because most of their employees are likely to be reassigned to the public sector. The important thing is to prioritize spending and look closely at the way money is spent.
The GAM, for example, is one of the richest government bodies in the country, yet it is deeply indebted - more than JD80 million. Is the GAM, which has created commissions and employed several foreign experts, going to follow suit and limit expenses?
Also, shouldn’t we wonder if the construction of an opera house, work on the airport road, which would cost JD22 million, or the acquisition of land are priorities under this critical financial situation?
These are just a few examples; many more should be studied openly and clearly.
*Published in Jordan's THE JORDAN TIMES on October 15, 2009. |
