Ibrahim asks the Government to re-determine unexpensed means to help municipalities

Kosovo Communist Association Executive Director Saban Ibrahimi has demanded from the central level that the unexplored means from the capital investment budget be restored to cover the financial consequences of collective contracts that have burdened municipal budgets.

According to him, Kosovo municipalities are showing a positive example in public finance management, implementing about 70 percent of the budget for capital investments, while the central level has spent less than 40 percent of these means.

He has added that this high level of realisation by municipalities is an indication of dedication to citizens, despite budgetary challenges and bureaucracy, citing concrete investments such as schools, daybooks, roads and public infrastructure.

Kosovo's “communities are setting an example: around 70% of the capital investment budget has already realised it. When it comes to public finance management, the central government is often mentioned as the host of key responsibilities. But recent data shows a very different reality: there are municipalities in the Republic of Kosovo that have witnessed over these years and are witnessing vision, dedication and efficiency in planning and realisation of capital projects.

To date, municipalities have managed to spend about 70% of their budget on capital investments, bringing tangible benefits to citizens such as schools, nurserys, roads, public infrastructure and new areas of service to citizens. This high level of implementation is clear indication that, despite budgetary challenges and bureaucracy, local governance is working every day to meet the needs of the citizens”, Ibrahim has declared for Paparac.

According to him, the prime minister's ministries and office have not managed to spend 40 per cent of their budget on capital investments, which, according to him, raises concerns about central funds planning and management.

“On the other hand, I believe the central level (the prime minister's ministers and office) has failed to spend even 40% of the budget for capital investments. This not only raises serious questions about planning and managing projects in the ministry and the prime minister's office but also creates a sharp contrast to the engagement of municipalities.

This contrast clearly shows a simple truth: A citizen gains more when decision - making and financial means are closer to him. The municipalities have proved to know how to use the budget for the everyday benefit of people.

More importantly, since the central level annually exceeds hundreds of millions of euros in unexplored capital investment budgets, it is necessary that these means be re-decented to cover the financial consequences of collective contracts in municipalities. These contracts have created huge budgetary burdens for local governance, and without central level support, the normal functioning of many municipalities and the provision of basic services to citizens” is at stake, Ibrahimi stressed./Periscopi/