The Minister of State, Governor of the capital, Aden, Ahmed Hamid Lamlas, chaired today, Wednesday, a meeting of the Budget and Plan Committee in the capital, in the presence of the Secretary-General of the Local Council, Badr Maoun, the First Undersecretary of Aden Governorate, Muhammad Nasr Al-Shazly, and a number of agents, directors of executive offices, and directors of directorates.

The meeting approved the general budget for the investment program for the year 2024, estimated at 21 billion, 862 million and 600 thousand riyals, an increase of 19% over the actual resources achieved in the year 2023.

Lamlas pointed out that this was achieved thanks to the combined efforts of everyone in activating the collection of revenue streams for local resources from fees for licenses and renewals of various professions stipulated in Article 123 of the Local Authority Law, stressing the need to adhere to the value of the fees stipulated in the law without increase or decrease. Until it is reconsidered by the government, in a manner consistent with the current exchange rate of the local currency.

During the meeting, the Finance, Planning and International Cooperation Offices reviewed the index of the investment program proposal for local authority projects for the year 2024, where the number of projects for investment expenditures reached 596 projects, of which 419 projects are being completed, and the number of new projects with exceptional service priority reached, Including the rehabilitation of infrastructure, the sewage network, environmental health, and improving the electricity network, 177 projects.

The meeting referred to a number of foundations and rules that must be adhered to during the implementation of the investment program, the most important of which is developing and diversifying the local resource base and enhancing the efficiency of their collection, and continuing to implement ongoing projects to ensure their implementation and completion, in addition to developing local non-tax resources from revenues from fees, goods and government services. Setting priorities, matching available financial resources with necessary needs, and not exceeding them in any way.

The meeting stressed not to enter into any new projects or activities that entail financial obligations, while adhering to reducing and rationalizing unnecessary operating expenses and preparing to structure their uses in favor of necessary operating expenses and development expenditures in order to ensure improving the level of performance of government facilities, achieving development goals and priorities, and enhancing the contribution of women. In development, as well as not including any projects that violate the executive regulations of the tender law and that do not serve the objectives of investment development.