The Ministry of Finance and National Planning (MFNP) has commenced the implementation of the new budget cycle and has so far released K 1.171 Trillion as funds for various undertakings.
In a statemenet made available to ZANIS in Lusaka today, MFNP Public Relations Officer Chileshe Kandeta said the Ministry is happy with the development because the new budget cycle is on course and consistent with their fiscal policy focus for 2010.
Mr. Kandeta to ensure debt sustainability over the long run, the January 2010 budget releases included K100 Billion for Constitutional and statutory expenditure of which K6.8 Billion was allocated to servicing of multilateral external debt.
He added that K 8 billion is for the Paris Club bilateral debt, K33.5 billion for interest payments on treasury bills and K51.6 billion for interest payments on government bonds.
Mr. Kandeta also noted that Zambia is on track to meeting the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) of providing universal education by 2015 because government has placed a high priority on education.
He said the ministry of Education was the largest beneficiary of resources with a total of K 247.6 billion allocation which represents 21.6 percent of all resources released in January 2010.
Mr. Kandeta said out of this amount, K5.5billion is for utilities, K1.9billion is for dismantling of arrears, K10.4billion as bursary support, while K31.6 billion is for infrastructure development and K3.3 billion is for curriculum development and educational materials.
He also disclosed that the Ministry of Science, Technology and Vocational Training (MOSTVT) has received K12.5 billion for various activities such as, implementation of a bursary scheme for students under TEVET institutions and for rehabilitation of research institutions under the same ministry.
Mr. Kandeta said the Ministry of Health (MOH) has been funded with a total of K 98billion to improve on access to quality health services.
He said the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services (MCDSS) has received K7.4billion for social welfare, community development and for cultural industries.
Mr. Kandeta said the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has been given K20.8 billion for operations across the country in line with the policy of speeding up the dispensation of justice.
He added that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MOHA) received K32.7 billion and the Ministry of Local Government and Housing received K4.6billion in the budget allocation.
Mr. Kandeta also disclosed that the Public Service Management Division (PSMD) received K27.5billion of which K5billion is for technical support for the payroll management and establishment control.
He said the Ministry of Works and Supply received K24 billion and the Ministry of Communications and Transport (MOCT) received K6.8 billion of which K1 billion is for waterways management under the marine, ports and shipping programme.
Mr. Kandeta further said the Ministry of Energy and Water Development (MEWD) has received K6.6 billion and the Ministry of Youth, Sport and child Development (MYSCD) has been given K6.6 billion of which K3.3 billion is for regional and continental games.
He has since implored the public to take interest in the public works and projects being implemented in their localities to ensure that resources are applied for intended purposes.
ZANIS
“VICE-President and justice minister George Kunda has recommended to Cabinet to pay about K5 billion to Lusaka-based parliamentarians, most of whom are ministers, attending the National Constitutional Conference (NCC) as facilitation allowance”.
I would like to thank our Military and the people of Zambia for not ACTING UP. When will have another Luchembe or Captain Solo? One wonders how the all Ministry of Energy and Water Development Budget matches the allowances to few fat individuals. No wonder Zambia has perpetual water problems in the abundance of rain and running rivers. What a shame.
what was the point of presenting the budget in October last year when funds are being released now in february.students in Russia are crying while kunda is recommending millions of kwachas to himself…shame on our so called govt…
YA ochen abijen. stranna nasha, kuda mwi edim?
can our government exercise fiscal discipline this time please.can they spend wisely and not wastefully?
here we go again another financial year running??????????~:>~:>
Education and Health are closely linked to Agriculture. For a nation to be educated there has to be healthy people who are well nourished. I have not seen the emphasis on agriculture reflected in this disbursement although there is a lot of talk about it.
Ugly looking building. Someone plz straighten up that fluorescent tube, at least.