In January, 2018, the Treasury released a total of K5.2 billion of which K1.6 billion was for personal emoluments for public service workers, K1.8 billion went to debt service, and K1 billion was allocated for grants while the remainder of K0.8 billion went to other key programmes, including capital projects.
The K1.6 billion expenditure on personal emoluments includes the 2018 wage increment awarded to public service workers in the month under review.
Of the K1 billion grant amount to various institutions, K233.2 million went to the Ministry of Agriculture for the Farmer Input Support Programme [FISP] while the Food Reserve Agency received K172 million as final installment for clearing arrears accumulated in the 2016/17 marketing season.
The Treasury also released K89.9 million for the Local Government Equalisation Fund to fiscally empower local authorities and ensure equitable distribution of resources. The allocation for the Local Government Equalisation Fund has been increased by 21.5% to K1.1 billion in the 2018 budget compared to K863 million in the 2017 budget.
Public universities received a total of K92 million. The University of Zambia received K33.4 million of which K16.7 million is for student loans and allowances, the Copperbelt University K38.3 million of which student loans and allowances was allocated K23.8 million, and Mulungushi University received a total of K2.4 million.
The Zambia Revenue Authority received K123.1 million for operations and expenditure on the pilot electronic fiscal registers programme. The programme, once fully implemented, is expected to improve domestic resource mobilization and help to create a sustained pool of the tax revenues needed to facilitate the financing of government operations and accelerate the implementation of development programmes.
The Ministry of Community Development and Social Services received K45.8 million for the Social Cash Transfer Programme while the Public Service Pensions Fund received K88.3 million for payment of retirement benefits to former public service workers. The budget releases for the social cash transfer and pensions tally with government’s commitment to reduce vulnerability and inequalities among Zambians.
Releases towards cholera control amounted to K35 million. This is in addition to the K64 million which was released in 2017.
January 2018 road sector funding drawn from road toll collections, fuel levy, and Road Traffic and Safety Agency [RTSA] fees and charges totaled K210 million. The funds were channeled to various road projects in line with the affirmation made in the 2018 Budget Speech to continue with Link Zambia, C400, L400, and rehabilitation and upgrading of feeder roads across the country – through rural roads connectivity.
K112 million was released for the Lusaka Water Supply, Sanitation and Drainage Project (LWSSD) under the Millennium Challenge Account, and K25.7 Million towards the Lusaka Peri-Urban Water Network Extension Project in cholera areas such as Kanyama, Mandevu, Chipata, Chawama, Bauleni, Garden, Chaisa, Ng’ombe, Chazanga, Garden House, and Kabanana Settlements.
K1.8 billion was released towards debt service of which K629 million went towards servicing the domestic debt and K1.2 billion went towards servicing foreign debt.
When asked to comment on this release of funds by the Treasury in January, 2018, Minister of Finance Felix Mutati said by virtue of sharing the information, the Ministry of Finance looked forward to citizens participating in economic transformation programmes with open minds by taking greater interest in monitoring government financed projects in their localities through the relevant district and provincial establishments.
“This is because, the successes which the economy is scoring through fiscal consolidation are not a twist of luck but a result of articulate reforms and the toils of citizens,” said the Minister.
On a daily basis, citizens look for opportunities created by the government for business development. Therefore, “through citizen induced project monitoring, the government will be able to implement projects effectively and ensure that value for money prevails in state financed projects,” he said.
The Ministry of Finance will continue to issue Treasury Briefs to ensure that the public is timely informed about developments in the economy.
Let’s hope these funds will be channeled correctly so as to benefit the people n nation at large,noti ati “twalya nakabili’ by those with long hands purporting to be genuine leaders
Don: For Roads projects its a lie. Next time I would suggest that the NRFA gives a breakdown of the Contracts that benefit from these releases. Asking for the names of the contractors and consultants paid would be like milking a stone. BUT just give us details of the Contracts paid so that we can know how the money from Toll Fees is being used. People are suffering in these contractors and consultants but you are here telling the whole nation that you have released money for roads contracts. You are making people have a lot of problems with lending agencies and landlords. Please be honest for once to let the nation know the truths. Contractors and Consultant workers are suffering in this nation and that is the truth and real situation.
i am just concerned about the debt trap;
UPND DIE HARD SUPPORTERS AND NON ENTITIES LIKE MULONGOTI AND MILUPI AND KAMBWILI WILL GNASH THEIR TEETH TILL DOOMS DAY AND BEYOND.
Do you understand the role of multiparty politics?
Why would the Gnash the Teeth. Governments always disburse funds what is so strange or new about this? Mutati and them should seal the hole that exists on the other end as exposed by the AG report period. It appears @paradise papers you donot seem to fully appreciate what has happened here for you to presuppose this is a unique release of funds
Its seems you also don’t even understand the role of government … you seem to be excited at someone doing a job he his paid for and a government spending money its got from its people.
Do you find this strange?
Now can we have supervisors or controlling officers do some work by ensuring resources are utilised for the intended purposes please. Equally you Felix, follow up and ensure what you have released is actually being used correctly. Supervise and monitor your civil servants, remember workers do what you INSPECT them to do NOT what you EXPECT them to do.
Time for these crooks to get paid!!
From 5 billion only 0.8 billion went to Capital projects?
Yes… another term for ” a few individual pockets” you will son here the president and The Financial Intelligence Centre complaining about increase in ministers and other civil servants huge deposits in personal accounts.
The president himself is on record lamenting about this, am not making this up.
Please don’t pay workers at Ndola Ministry of Lands. They are all busy with their private jobs. All of them will tell you that they are busy with Minister Lusambo’s jobs and are not open to ordinary members of the public.
The civil servants are extremely rude at Lands in Ndola.
How will ordinary members of the public survive in this environment?
Very sad indeed.
The vibrant trickle down effect that started thriving under Sata has almost completely been eroded by a wild tax regime
The working government! Sady, HaCorruption sees corruption, HaHallunations sees Hatheft! It is a mental disease of the Tribal Party.
Not enough money for public pension u want them to become more poor be concerned