Govt vows regular updates on public fund use
FINANCE and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane, has vowed to continue informing the public on the use of public funds, as his ministry releases K22.7 billion for public service delivery in June.
Dr Musokotwane said he would disseminate a report on the performance of the budget and of the economy in the first half of this year on Thursday this week at a forum as part of informing the public on the utilisation of public funds.
He said Government, at the forum, would also demonstrate how its transformational reforms had helped to infuse resilience in the economy and kept growth numbers on a positive trajectory.
“The extraordinary support that Zambia is receiving from development partners is not an accident. It reflects the relationship trust that this Government has nurtured with all development partners.
“This is why we will continue to maintain a good governance environment and sustain regular engagements with all stakeholders in reviewing our reform progress,” Dr Musokotwane said.
Meanwhile, the Minister said his ministry released K22.7 billion for public service delivery and developmental programmes in June.
Of the total amount released, K3.5 billion went to transfers, subsidies and social benefits, K1.1 billion to implementation of various programmes and general operations and K288.6 million to capital expenditure for ongoing infrastructure works.
Furthermore, the Treasury released K4 billion for the public service wage bill and an additional K13.8 billion for servicing arrears, and both the domestic and external debt.
“In line with the Government’s commitment to reducing indebtedness, a total sum of K13.8 billion was released. Of this amount, K7.7 billion was released towards the payment of external debt service and K6.1 billion to domestic service,” Dr Musokotwane said.