By Ismail Lugweyne.
We were hearing last few days discussions about road bill purposed by the government on the subject of a tax increase of certain services in Somali-land, which is overwhelming passed by the House of Representatives in an effort of generating extra revenue to finance the expected upgrading our medical care, social programs, continuity of vital public services programmes, Infrastructure like roads and expansion of existing Infrastructure that would enhance economic boost, promote employment opportunities to our unemployed youth to overcome the human terrific and ensure rising the other essential public domains. Every of us aware the reality that the richest countries in western world such as USA, EU and Japan depends on their continuous development on gradual tax increase, let alone a poor country like Somali-land us, which is unrecognized with no foreign aid and a limited resources.
The budget of the former government under leadership of president Riyaale, which was eight years in office was US $ 47 million and following three years in office, the current government has managed lifting up our national budget from 47 million to 126 million, which is equivalent to 270 % enlargement and this achievement is secured as result of solid vision, efficient effort, and factual sincerity.
Considering the said progress, our house of representatives has recently passed the bill put forwarded by the government, as they preferred the shared common interest rather the short-sighted political interest campaigned by some personalities. Despite the fact that government has doubled folded the number of government personnel three years in office, yet, our unemployment rate still very high and hence, we have no other option either than accepting the recommendation suggested by the government regarding a minor tax hike up.
Where can get the necessary resources for our development needs had we not generate extra revenue to translate into reality the proposed community development schemes mainly road projects. At present, plenty of road projects are either under-going in many places or laid down its foundation stone by the government officials that requires additional finance. From where we can obtain the necessary resources of these projects, since we depends only ourselves on our key development projects.
In the view of our limited resources, collectively, we need making sacrifice to reach our deducted goals necessary for public developments even if this is painful to some. Earlier than this administration, we have certainly not heard or noticed the word ROAD either from the former governments nor from the public, whereas at the present time, the word ROAD is practically witnessed observed or heard every second day if not every day, since the current administration has come to office.
With regard the tax increase on our livestock, in reality the raise of tax for the subject issue is inconsequential, as it is only (0.50) half dollar per head sheep/goats. The average price for the said livestock ranges between 50 to 100 dollars. If we consider the average price per head as 60 dollars, this makes an increase of 0.83 %,( less than 1 %). Taken this evidence into consideration, it is totally insignificant opposing this irrelevant decimal figure increase.
It is also worth to bring up that, the tax of a same livestock at the period of former government was seven dollars, whereas today, the same is less by One Dollar compare with to the earlier government. (Seven dollars during the earlier government and six dollars at present). Therefore, we are wondering why the few personalities, which are against this minor increase, were silent at the time the tax was seven dollars, more than one dollar than at present. It appears that, their allegations is not based on national interest, but rather another interest and intentions, which is yet to identified.
The difference between successful person and the others is not lack of knowledge, not lack of strength, but rather the lack of will, which was totally absent prior to this administration. The principle will power, which was absent earlier, has been adapted by the current government and the same has produced fruitful beneficial results. Our national budget has been increased almost three times in contrast with the former administration from US $ 47 million to US $ 126 million, first year an increase of 87 %, second year an increase of 22 % and the third year an increase of 15 %.
With regard to the budget of the next year (2014) on September, 26, 2013, the council of ministries has approved the central government budget for year 2014 in the amount of US $ 152 million, which is 21 % growth.
This is presented several months ahead of the schedule time, which is presumably January 2014. The budget of the central and the combined local governments was 180 million dollars on 2013 and the one presently approved by the council of ministers for next year is 212 million dollars, which is equivalent an over growth of 17 %. The latest budget of the next fiscal year recently approved by the council of ministers is bigger by 324 % to that of the last year of the former government leadership of president of Riyaale.This government has executed the principle, which defines that, there is no country without security, no security without finance and no finance without proper management reported from Islamic scholar one thousand years ago.
