Permission given to purchase iPads and phones for ministers

Ministry of Finance has granted permission to purchase laptops, iPads and mobile phones for ministers to use in their work.

A circular sent last Monday by Finance Ministry to all ministries said that several items necessary for ministers to carry out their lawful responsibilities had not been provided, and that it is appropriate for the ministries to purchase them.

The circular allows the purchase of a mobile phone, laptop or notebook computer, tablet PC or iPad, and data system and data package if necessary.

The circular, endorsed by Finance Minister Abdullah Jihad, also specified a policy for phone bills of ministers. A total of Rf4000 is assigned for a minister’s phone bill, and any exceeding amount should be paid from personal funds. If a minister uses roaming services while abroad, he should identify the official calls made and sign the bills, following which those bills will be reimbursed.

The circular indicates that it would be best to purchase these items from the relevant ministry’s budget. These items had not been purchased thus far because no proper policy had been specified to do so.

The government is made up of fourteen ministries, for each of which a minister has been appointed. Each ministry also has more than one state minister and deputy minister. The government is currently working on the creation of two additional ministries.