The supplementary estimates were approved after 107 Members of Parliament voted in favour against 40 who voted against the estimates with one member abstaining.
Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda who presented the supplementary estimates told Parliament that there have been significant movements in some of the fundamental macroeconomic variables that have negatively affected the country’s fiscal position.
He says the depreciation of the Kwacha against major currencies also meant that government had to spend more than the budgeted amount on items such as debt service, drugs and other goods and services that are acquired using the foreign currency.
Mr. Chikwanda states that the adverse performance of the Kwacha also led to significant shortfalls in the refinancing of fuel importation which resulted into additional pressures on the budget.
He adds that the unfavorable weather pattern that has been experienced in the last two years has left the country with an unprecedented shortfall in the supply of electricity, necessitating the importation of emergency electricity at a relatively high cost.
Mr. Chikwanda says a supplementary provision is therefore required to cover the cost for the importation of electricity.
Meanwhile, Government owed mining companies K5.25 billion in VAT refunds as at 8th December, 2015.
Finance Deputy Minister Christopher Mvunga has told Parliament in response to a question by Mazabuka Member of Parliament that among the mining companies owed is Kansanshi Mine plc which is owed K1.89 billion, KCM which is owed K1.24 billion and Mopani Copper Mines K1.69 billion.
Mr. Mvunga says the amounts owed to the mining companies are being paid as and when the tax payers provide the necessary documentation evidence for VAT claims.
He says ZRA is still awaiting documentation from all the mining companies with outstanding VAT claims that have been withheld.
I don’t mind if black people believe in god but why the christian abrahamic god? Why worship jesus or the same bible that was used to justify slavery. The same people who hated civil rights in the fifties believed in the same god, yet this god made black people suffer more that the white oppressors, why??
So where will this money come from? Another black market bond? All sounds like lack of foresight in the plans, for instance, the weather issue effect was know at last budget proposals but was not factored in.
This useless dinosaur must go!
Fossil Chilkwanda, you have passed your “sell by” date many years ago.
Go now with some dignity left, do not do a Gadaffi on Zambia.
Fossil Chikwanda doing what he does best…increasing debt and making us poorer!!
Even his looks don’t inspire as Finance Minister. Isn’t he a Zombie? How comfortable can he be among other sharp Finance Ministers at world conferences? No wonder he rarely travels out for conferences.
Why he is still kept in the Finance seat is anyone’s guess! If it’s to keep the Bemba Axis Of Power Edgar can still find other inspiring Bembas to be Finance Minister! he must be holding somebody to a ransom! He dished out illegal funds for somebody’s campaign & can not be easily discarded without him causing severe damage before 2016!
I am glad Mr. Chikwanda is a hard-working minister and UK trained too! He and President Lungu know what they are doing!
Know what they are doing by plunging the country into billions of dollars of dept??? You sure do make sense.
Suplementary budget my foot.for last three years we have had supplementary budgets.(budget deficit one after another and some useless Kaponya comes shouting ifinti ni Lungu.Less Zambians always waiting for hand outs.Zambia has gone to dogs.We HH who is going to control expenditure and bring investment in Zambia.for the first time we shall bost of a budget suplus