Lesotho MPs are advocating for a 50% reduction in government-funded international trips, proposing that the savings be redirected to combat youth unemployment through various domestic initiatives. Concerns have been raised about the increasing costs of international travel, emphasizing the need for ministries to focus more on local development rather than international engagement.
In Lesotho, a call for a significant reduction in international travel expenses has been made by several Members of Parliament (MPs) amid discussions about the national budget for 2025/2026. Tšeliso Moroke, MP for Matala Constituency and member of the Revolution for Prosperity (RFP), emphasized that funds saved from these cuts should be reallocated to combat youth unemployment via initiatives such as job creation, internships, vocational training, and entrepreneurship support. The MPs are asserting that budget constraints on international trips should focus on addressing the soaring unemployment crisis.
A report by the Portfolio Committee on the Economic and Development Cluster recommended a 50% cut in government-funded international travel, with certain exceptions for key ministries like the Prime Minister’s Office, Foreign Affairs, and Labour. Dr. Moroke expressed concerns over the rising costs of these trips, noting a significant increase of 102% in the 2024-2025 financial year and a subsequent 72% rise for the current year.
Dr. Moroke argued that governmental travel expenses consume a large part of the budget with minimal benefits for the country. He stressed the need for ministries to focus on domestic service improvements instead of frequent international engagements. Meanwhile, Democratic Congress MP Thabiso Lekitla raised the question of whether officials should eliminate business-class travel in favor of economy-class tickets, to which Dr. Moroke responded that such adjustments wouldn’t impair functionality, asserting that international trips impose a financial strain without sufficient returns.
RFP MP Moeketsi Motšoane supported Dr. Moroke’s stance, asserting that savings from reduced travel should support ministries facing budget shortages. He noted that while all kinds of government trips serve a purpose, practical sacrifices, particularly reallocating funds, are necessary for effective governance. Machesetsa Mofomobe, leader of the Basotho National Party, criticized some international trips as unnecessary, questioning the need for official visits solely to observe simple practices like street sweeping.
Motšoana echoed the call for creating domestic solutions rather than benchmarking abroad, proposing that each ministry should cut international travel by 50%. Lesotho Congress for Democracy leader Mothetjoa Metsing introduced an amendment advocating for case-by-case evaluations of travel budgets, contesting a blanket reduction approach that could unfairly penalize ministries that did not significantly increase their travel budgets.
Metsing highlighted the need for ministers to justify their travel needs during debates in the National Assembly. He emphasized the importance of prioritizing ministries essential for job creation, such as agriculture, trade, finance, and manufacturing, which could significantly impact the economy through employment opportunities.
The discussions in Lesotho’s National Assembly have unveiled a critical review of international travel budgets, emphasizing a need for redirection of resources toward combatting youth unemployment. MPs are advocating for drastic reductions in these travel costs to bolster domestic initiatives that foster job creation and economic development. The overall consensus is focused on prioritizing efficient use of financial resources in addressing pressing national challenges.
Original Source: allafrica.com
