The federal budget bill, edging towards a monumental trillion Birr, has sparked heated contention as it progresses through legislative channels at the Parliament. In a two-day hearing convened by the Standing Committee for Plan, Budget & Financial Affairs, divisions emerged between the budget authors at the Ministry of Finance and lawmakers and beneficiaries clamouring for critical investments across their constituencies.

Central to the discord were public universities struggling with suspended projects and stringent financial leashes pending a sweeping overhaul of higher education.

Lemi Guta (PhD), president of Adama Science & Technology University, challenged the Ministry's decision to halt projects, advocating instead for a temporary freeze to prevent the disruption of ongoing construction efforts with contracted firms.

"Our ability to sustain operations is under severe strain," bemoaned Lemi, whose Institution faces a proposed budget of 750 million Br — an amount he argues falls short of supporting new student enrollments amidst growing resource limitations. "Some of the projects already have contractors."

He forewarned that a meagre amount (22 Br per day) allotted for student feeding would undermine the education process in the coming year.

Universities face a dilemma as they adapt to the recent reclassification of higher education institutions into four categories. Kotebe University of Education, led by Berhanemesqel Tena (PhD), is a notable example. Operating with a faculty of 150 teachers and an annual acceptance rate of 500 new students, the University struggles with outdated infrastructure and increased operational burdens.

Kotebe University, on the northern outskirts of Addis Abeba, contends with 50 dilapidated classrooms and delays in crucial infrastructure projects. The Institution's efforts are further complicated by inflation and bureaucratic hurdles, despite a budget allocation of 446 million Br.

"The purchasing power of our funds has diminished," said Berhanemesqel, referring to the financial strain.

The recent reshuffling has shifted the University's reporting structure from the Addis Abeba City Administration to the Ministry of Education, deepening existing issues, with delayed payments and rising costs affecting progress on building construction projects.

The federal government's new policy direction, placing importance on investment in kindergartens over university infrastructure, has further unsettled academic leaders like Berhanemesqel and Lemi. State Minister for Finance Eyob Tekalegn (PhD) recently informed Parliament that the longstanding practice of prioritizing brick-and-mortar university campus construction would no longer be feasible.

The education sector has been allocated 79.8 billion Br for the upcoming fiscal year, making it the fifth-highest funded sector out of 20, with 8.22pc of the budget. The federal government administers 42 of the 83 universities and colleges in the country.

Beyond the academic sector, stakeholders across various domains expressed scepticism about the budget's adequacy in addressing infrastructure deficiencies nationwide. However, the goals of the universities will need to take a back seat as the Finance Ministry looks to calibrate aspirations for increased domestic revenue, a budget deficit of less than three percent in GDP ratio, and single-digit inflation rates.

Tesfaye Bekele, representing the Gindeberet Association of Elders, a rural community 178Km west of Addis Abeba, drew attention to protracted delays in road construction projects, vital for facilitating economic activities and enhancing governance in remote regions.

"Residents endure considerable hardships," said Tesfaye.

Students from the 100 schools within the expansive Woreda had to travel several tens of kilometres on foot to attend national examinations. He said residents had been frequenting visits to the Ethiopian Road Administration (ERA) and have petitioned the Prime Minister's Office, hoping to get some relief to an infrastructure question going back five decades.

"Budget increments need to be accompanied by increased accountability and results," Tesfaye said.

Tesfaye's is a voice shared by many nationwide over the discernible impact of inadequate infrastructure on community welfare and economic productivity.

For Teferi Demeke, director of Budget Preparation & Administration, the imperative of macroeconomic stability and fiscal prudence amid global economic uncertainties justifies a tight budget. He defended the Administration strategy, which focused on reducing reliance on external financing. International sources are expected to contribute only 8.5pc of the proposed 971 billion Br budget.