THE Treasury has released K87.6 million for various government programmes among them support for the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).
The FISP has received K60 million, K22.6 million has gone towards the rural roads construction and rehabilitation programme while K5 million for the on-going construction of chiefs’ palaces.
Secretary to the Treasury, Fredson Yamba said Government remained focused on ensuring that the overall objectives of the 2014 budget were achieved.
“The release of funds for the Farmer Input Support Programme is also a clear demonstration of the commitment towards achievement of Governments long-term objective to diversify the Zambian economy; with agriculture as one of the leading sectors,” Mr Yamba.
Mr Yamba said the continued releases of funds for the rural roads programme demonstrated Government’s desire for implementing agencies to rise to the occasion and ensure that the targeted roads were in a proper state of usability, not only for efficient haulage of the expected 3.3 million tonnes bumper harvest for the just ended season, but also in readiness for proficient delivery of inputs for the 2014/2015 farming season.
He said this in a statement issued by Ministry of Finance public relations officer, Chileshe Kandeta in Lusaka yesterday.
Mr Yamba appealed to members of the public to keep track of resources that were being released by the Ministry of Finance.
“I make this appeal on account of our strong belief that by sharing information, we will be promoting a tracking system that integrates measures of programme performance with the costs associated with development programs,” he said.
He said this was important for the country because by connecting programme outcomes with budget releases, participatory monitoring system being promoted through issuance of frequent treasury briefs, would allow the people of Zambia to see how taxpayer’s money was being spent and to examine the results achieved through expenditure by respective Ministries, Provinces and Government Spending Agencies.
It is a pity to see that the money is given out for those so called Government developmental projects. I stand here lamenting for Northwestern province. When you check deeply you will discover that there is nothing coming forth from this government to that area in fact it is the least developed province so far by this PF government. Chingola Solwezi road – nothing up to now apart from patching all over, ZESCO- electrification and old schools are those which MMD left unfinished and these are ones they are calling developing the province in fact it is due date now, we can not call it as something new programs. I shall be happy to see one day that all people in the area became one and condemn these evil misplaced leaders in the province.
@Semeki,
Mulamu, you are right. My understanding is that there are people in that area and why stay quiet? There is a problem in NW province. You fight your own people instead of uniting and fight for your real one common factor which can bring sanity and brightness to your province. look at what is going on in Western Province, Muchinga and Southern Provinces. They are their making the government work for them sharing the national cake together. But you I hear 70% Copper production is coming from their but Solwezi is dusty, one of the main Bridges I hear has a crack, now road in the township is tired like what we are seeing happening here in Copper belt and other provinces! My question is ” My cousins who has bewitched you?”.
The reason why Zambia is progressive; the reason we release funds is to demonstrate gov’t effort for bla! bla! bla! bla! Worded to show good intentions when gov’ts (past and present) have dubiously misused the resources and failed its people.