President Rupiah Banda today spelled out stringent economic measures to help cut down on government expenditure, following the negative effects of the prevailing global economic crisis.
Addressing his second press conference at State House today, President Banda said it is necessary that government responds to the effects of the global economic meltdown.
President Banda has consequently banned the purchase of expensive luxury vehicles as utility and duty vehicles and directed government officials entitled to personal-to-holder vehicles should begin to use them for intended purposes instead of packing them at home.
He said government delegations for trips abroad should be reduced and that only absolutely necessary trips should be undertaken.
“The number of workshops should be drastically reduced and by all means possible held within government ministries’ board rooms to cut down on costs,” he said.
President Banda explained that these measures are not meant to punish government officials, bu are a way of cutting down on government expenditure.
He has also directed that the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, the Secretary to the Cabinet, and the Ministry of Works and Supply to put in place measures aimed at cutting down on public expenditure.
He noted that government has been facing a number of challenges in implementing the budget, which he attributed partly to the delays and in some cases withdrawals of financial assistance to government by Zambia’s cooperating partners.
The President further said domestic revenue collection has fallen below the projected levels, a situation he said has impacted negatively on the implementation of government’s priority programmes.
“Pressure to pay wages above the budgeted amounts, payments for the purchase and import of maize to ensure adequate supplies of maize meal, are among some of the challenges being faced,” he said.
Mr. Banda further said government will re-align resource allocation to infrastructure development in the energy, agriculture and tourism sectors as one way of responding to the effects of the global economic crisis.
He said government would intensify efforts to attract foreign and domestic investment which he said has significantly reduced globally.
President Banda called for the consolidation of the macro-economic stability gains through minimising exchange rate volatility and moderating inflation, adding that this calls for fiscal and monetary discipline at all levels.
“The challenges require all of us to sacrifice. I hope all of us understand,” he stressed.
He also said government is considering re-aligning the budget cycle to synchronise it with the calendar year in order to speed up the implementation of the development programmes.
”This means that government’s financial year will be starting in January of each year,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Banda said government is addressing the needs of the key sectors of development, by sustaining the mining companies’ operations and keeping job losses to a minimum.
He cited the taking over of Luanshya Copper Mine by the new owners as one of the landmark successes that government has scored to keep the country’s economy afloat amidst the global economic meltdown.
“However, I am shocked that the so-called opposition leaders have been pushing for the blocking of the transaction through a court process,” he said.
Mr. Banda’s second press conference since he came to power in November last year was attended by members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Zambia, cabinet ministers, and senior members of the ruling Movement for Multiparty Democracy (MMD), among others.
ZANIS
REVOLUTION 2011
Of the 100 largest economies in the world, 51 are corporations and only 49 are countries. Mitsubishi is larger than Indonesia: Ford is larger than South Africa and Toyota larger than Norway.
Well “”This means that government’s financial year will be starting in January of each year,” he said” is a welcome positive move as March/april — if I a correct — was tricky for many Zambians. I just hope this transition will not lead to catastrophy.
On “Meanwhile, Mr. Banda said government is addressing the needs of the key sectors of development, by sustaining the mining companies’ operations and keeping job losses to a minimum“, what is the plan on job creation? Let us not only restrcit ourselves to saving jobs that already exist but offer alternative jobs for those who will eventually be layed off.
Sounds good, but too much similar news on LT today.
Have a blessed day you all.
_
Prevention is better than cure.
Maestro, RB made major pronouncements in all sectors yet LT’s Ngwenya’s failed to summarize: Agriculture will see a robust way buying mechanism starting from less accessible arrears while the private sector will deal with the line of rail; Wheat imports have been banned in order to protect local producers; new market for tobacco framers sourced. In mining, renegotiations have led to mines staying open while others have new owners, etc. Challenge LT to produce the entire press conference. RB has disclaimed involvement in the purchase of hearses, but like a loyal man with ball, he has defended his predecessor for this procurement. He has earned himself 150+ votes from my workers!
RB and his team should learn to deal with real Issues by ACTION. Making pronouncements only can not feed the poor widow in Kalingalinga , Misis, Chawama, Kanyama chipulukusu, Gonde in Gwembe, Mapatizya, Choma Kalabo, Mwansa Kombe, Milenge, or shangombo. We need a proactive govt that listens and ACT to serve the people and fullfill its mandate.
4Big Mule thanks for everything. I liked your Challenge LT to produce the entire press conference. RB has disclaimed involvement in the purchase of hearses, but like a loyal man with ball, he has defended his predecessor for this procurement. He has earned himself 150+ votes from my workers! and hope LT will do something about this one.
As for President RB Banda, I think his Administration is wasting too much time in bickering or issuing counter-statements with the opposition. The moment he will take president HH as a politician and not look at HH as his son, then President RB Banda will starting making progress in governing Zambia. This behaviour of undermining anyone is costly to the President RB Banda MMD GRZ. I’ll wait and see.
_
Prevention is better than cure.
“payments for the purchase and import of maize to ensure adequate supplies of maize meal, are among some of the challenges being faced,” he said.” WHAT?? Bakulu mpuno recently told us that we are giving thousands of metric tonnes of maize to Zimbabwe because we have more than we can feed. Now it has become a challenge, mwebantu sure, this man needs a psychistrist.
I think I need this explained to me, is it not the same man who Santa Klaused Sekuru Mugabe with our maize claiming we have more than enough? Now what is this import of maize he is talking about
“Pressure to pay wages above the budgeted amounts, payments for the purchase and import of maize to ensure adequate supplies of maize meal, are among some of the challenges being faced,” he said.
As we all new, we did not have enough maize but this amn decided against all advise to give the little we had to his country of birth, a country whose shortages are self inflicted. This is wreckless endangerment of our food security. He must one day be called to account for this.
He stresses that the challenge is for us to sacrifice” the zambian people are already sacrificing…He and his ministers should join in this challenge of sacrifice
the famous zambian watchdog has been hacked it seems, viva lt
ubu nibubumbafu, how can you send mezi to mugabe changrai and leave bana bwalya nensala? ati ninebo president, amanongo ukubola
It is a shame to have a prez like RB. The man is a total imbecile and you get what you pay for. Zambians paid for this s*h*i*t and s*h*i*t is what they gat. Note that you can recall the man. Some serious civil disobedience can make his short first term even shorter and make sure to guard against such imbeciles in state house ever again.
#13 Wisi Boyi, you are right on. A serious wave civil disobedience, bad as it may be in itself, seems to be only option our people are left if they are going to win. RB is just too insensitive to anything but opening his granddaughters’ cunts. VIVA PEOPLE’ POWER.
I feel just cutting down on minister’s movements etc is not enough coz the real spending is not by these few clowns but by other sectors of government. I wish to also request that Mukulu Mpuno looks into the plight of Defence Service employees. These wings have had old men literally refusing to retire and about 42 of them in the Army for example ( including myself ) have actually passed the 55 yr retirement age and are on what Levy Mwanawasa ( may his tribalism rest in peace) introduced as “contracts” this not only hinders the progress of upcoming modern officers and affected their morale but also drains national finances as these retirees have to be paid 50m yearly thats aside their tax-free salaries. Do you want us to go on strike also ?
does it need to take over 6 months in office to realise that Govt wastes too much money on luxury cars? these are are some of the costs RB should have done away within 1 week in office. The so called govt officials drive latest 4 x4 cars costing almost $ 100,000.00 each in roads that cant sustain them.How do you drive an expensive and yet you stay in the farms where the roads are non existant. there is too much carelessnes with our govt , no wonder we dont progress
I also could not understand why this fossil of a presido opted to feed Mugabe and his cholera stricken zimbos whilst his own children were starving, and now he wants to call it a challenge ! It doesnt make sense. Even animals have a way of booing a useless man like Nyama Soya
He should practice what he preaches, no more tourism with large delegations
useless
Walk the talk bwana
1984 @ no2 – and your point is…….??
It is a hard knock life in Zambia
balandafye teti fibombe
Why is it that cost serving measures are done only on small things? Why not on things like salaries for ministers, graduity and other major things. Anyway we know he’s trying to inpress us, but we wont take it. enough is enough.
I just dont see how these ‘cost saving’ measures will impact on expenditure. Too lilttle. Talk os ministers salaries and gratuities nefyashala.
well all i can say on our presidents issue is that talk is cheap. he should start by practicing what he preaches. just coz he can afford to run out wenever he or his pipo r sick doesnot mean its the same for the common zambians, dont our lives matter as well?
it is amazing how one can create un necessary anxiety by publising thz dreaded press comf for days and wt do we get?………NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!ALL THOSE MEASURES he talked abt on reducing costs is supozd 2 be common sense for any1 who claims to b a servant for the pipo.
ULYA KOLWE ALI TU LANDILA IFINGI.,NXT TYM, WE ALL KNW WT TO XPECT, WRSE THAN THE IMISU………………
Too late, too little.
We don’t get to see much news from Zed here in New Zealand, but today there was a small clip on his press conference. The only thing they reported on was the monkey that was in a tree just above RB which peed on him. I was just like, good on the monkey. I don’t know why Zedians don’t do the same to these lunatics.
What about anti theft measures? Savings means more money for civil thieving servants.
I hear RB is an economist. I guess he knows one or two things about economic management. I hope I am right.
We need a government of honest men and women and not of thieves! If the fund that were stolen during the so called the “LPM Legacy” New Deal era was used for infrastural development, or buying drugs and medical equipment, if the funds being stolen now were used to improve the education system, This governmnent needs a vote of no confidence! It has failed Zambia terribly.
MMD = corruption, plunder and murders on account of people dying of curable illness because there are no syringes in hospitals, there are no antibiotics, cleaning materials. Look at patient beds in UTH and other hospitals. They look more than death beds.
Something must be done. But who shall stand?
That’s the problem. He has held all things constant in the meantime there is instutionalised corruption and plundering.
29 UK-Zed Observer greetings. On your “I hear RB is an economist. I guess he knows one or two things about economic management. I hope I am right.” President RB Banda studied a Masters in Economic History according to the CV that was on his now unaccessible website.
Both Economics and Economic History are two very different programmes. I believe his Masters is proving to be helping Zambia or his analytic skills are waning with age.
Have a blessed day and keep well as we wait and see what he will do for Zambia.
_
Prevention is better than cure.
# 27 i think it is true, because even the press here in South Africa has reported the incident. Can the locals please confirm
the measure annouced do not deal with the current stagnation the country faces. parking govt vehicles will do very little to help the rapidly shrinking manufacturing sector. We needed more in terms of policy not an insignificant scratch.
Latest, do you know that the story of the monkey that urinated on RB yesterday during the press conference appeared in one of the international media under the category of : ODD NEWS. Imagine.