A former Deputy Finance Minister, Kwaku Agyeman-Manu is predicting more economic hardship, as the nation struggles to find lasting solutions to the shortage in the supply of utilities. According to Mr. Agyeman-Manu, the country is likely to face the impact of present water and power crises coupled with “huge budget deficit” recorded by the National Democratic Congress administration in the year 2012. Mr. Agyeman-Manu, who is also the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, therefore wants government to rather focus on reducing borrowing and cut down on expenditure. This he said, will lead to creating more jobs and improve the living conditions of the people. He was speaking on Badwam on Adom TV Tuesday, ahead of the presentation of Government Budget Statement to Parliament by the Finance Minister, Seth Tekper at Parliament today. The statement will review government's expenditure and revenue generation in 2012 and the projections for this year. It is expected to give details as to how the various policy initiatives outlined by President John Mahama in his State of the Nation Address, will be achieved. This year's budget will be the first to be read by Mr. Seth Terpker on behalf of President Mahama upon assuming office as Minister of Finance and Economic Planning. It was to have been presented in November 2012, in line with Article 179 of the constitution, but was rescheduled because of the general elections held in December 2012. Meanwhile, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Analysis (CEPA), Dr Joe Abbey has urged government to look deeper into the issues of utility facilities by cutting down excessive waste and deficiencies. He called on the Finance Minister to be more innovative and creative to reduce hardships.