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Prime Minister Bruce Golding Tuesday defended his decision to separate the finance and planning portfolios when he set up his cabinet two months ago.
This was a variation from what had become the norm.
The issue was raised at Tuesday's sitting of the House during a debate on the draw down of over three billion dollars of bauxite money from the Capital Development Fund.
The Prime Minister now has responsibility for planning and added public service to finance.
Tuesday, Opposition Spokesman on Finance, Dr. Omar Davies took issue with the decision, saying it would handicap the work of the Finance Ministry.
"The Statistical Institute (STATIN) which provides fundamental information needed for planning the fiscal budget and structuring the macroeconomics has been removed from the Ministry of Finance," said Dr. Davies.
But Mr. Golding contends that the move makes sense.
"He made a big thing about STATIN, well it's just not the CPI that STATIN is responsible for. STATIN is also responsible for doing the labour force survey but because STATIN is responsible for doing the labour force survey doesn't mean that I must assign STATIN to the Ministry of Labour," said Mr. Golding.
Responding to another Dr. Davies query, Mr. Golding said drafting of the first Supplementary Estimates for the 2007/2008 budget is complete.
"The Supplementary Estimates have been drafted, the matter will go to Cabinet and once Cabinet has signed off it will come here and it will be before we rise for the Christmas recess," he continued.
After listening to MPs from bauxite-laden constituencies complaining yet again of myriad problems associated with the operation, Mr. Golding said he had moved to do something about it once and for all.
This was a variation from what had become the norm.
The issue was raised at Tuesday's sitting of the House during a debate on the draw down of over three billion dollars of bauxite money from the Capital Development Fund.
The Prime Minister now has responsibility for planning and added public service to finance.
Tuesday, Opposition Spokesman on Finance, Dr. Omar Davies took issue with the decision, saying it would handicap the work of the Finance Ministry.
"The Statistical Institute (STATIN) which provides fundamental information needed for planning the fiscal budget and structuring the macroeconomics has been removed from the Ministry of Finance," said Dr. Davies.
But Mr. Golding contends that the move makes sense.
"He made a big thing about STATIN, well it's just not the CPI that STATIN is responsible for. STATIN is also responsible for doing the labour force survey but because STATIN is responsible for doing the labour force survey doesn't mean that I must assign STATIN to the Ministry of Labour," said Mr. Golding.
Responding to another Dr. Davies query, Mr. Golding said drafting of the first Supplementary Estimates for the 2007/2008 budget is complete.
"The Supplementary Estimates have been drafted, the matter will go to Cabinet and once Cabinet has signed off it will come here and it will be before we rise for the Christmas recess," he continued.
After listening to MPs from bauxite-laden constituencies complaining yet again of myriad problems associated with the operation, Mr. Golding said he had moved to do something about it once and for all.