Finance Ministry Permanent Secretary Keith Muhakanizi
Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development has written to all Government Ministries, Agencies, Departments and Local Governments suspending 2020 Christmas and end of year festivities due to financial constraints.
In a letter dated December 9, 2020, Patrick Ocailap, the Deputy Secretary to the Treasury, acting on behalf of his boss Keith Muhakanizi says that the economy is faced with expenditure pressures and as such Government is undertaking efficiency measures which entail the need to adjust spending during the festive season by all Government Ministries, Agencies and Local Governments.
“Consequently, this is to direct you not to organize Christmas and end of year parties, as well as not engage in printing of Christmas Cards, Diaries, calendars, buying of Christmas gifts and hampers and anything else related to such expenditures,” the directive reads in part.
It adds: “The purpose of this letter is therefore, is to communicate as above and urge you to utilize electronic options to deliver the relevant messages.”
The letter which is copied to the Minister of Finance and Head of Public Service/ Secretary to Cabinet comes a month after Finance Ministry suspended government allowances and serving of food in the different government departments, Ministries and agencies due to financial constraints.
