The amended supplementary budget law was adopted by the National Assembly yesterday. During debates, lawmakers raised concerns about a significant reduction in the budget for the water department that was applied during committee proceedings.
Multiple deputies highlighted an inconsistency regarding the budget allocated to the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene during yesterday's National Assembly session at Tsimbazaza. Lawmakers unanimously adopted the amended version of the budget text.
Committee members last week decided to substantially reduce funding for the water ministry, which is responsible for implementing drinking water access projects. The budget cut amounts to approximately 40 billion ariary.
This decision sparked heated debate during yesterday's plenary session. Some deputies questioned the logic during morning discussions about modifying the chamber's agenda. "Water access and supply were among the main reasons for the crisis we experienced last year, and today we're cutting its budget," one lawmaker asked.
"Even with the initial budget, drinking water access projects couldn't reach all districts. Now we're reducing it," protested deputy Velomihoatra Painchard Andriamanantena, elected from Farafangana