By John Chola
President Hakainde Hichilema says he has instructed the Minister of Finance and National Planning, Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane to present a request to parliament to approve a supplementary budget of about K22 billion.
President Hichilema says the directive arises from financial prudence and this will makes the 2022 budget roughly K195 billion as opposed to K123 billion in the previous year.
Generally a supplementary budget is a request by state departments and agencies for additional funding in the course of a financial years.
The funds are meant to take care of expenditure that was not factored in during budget-making.
“This extra generated revenue will be used to increase funding towards fertilizer support programme, dismantle arrears for suppliers and contractors, payment of retirees and more road construction. The resources have been allocated to benefit our citizens and generate more revenue as opposed to lavish lifestyles in private jets, VXs, and outright looting,” President Hichilema wrote.
He has also reiterated his administration’s firm belief that Zambia had resources, what was missing was prudent management of resources.
The President has informed the general citizenry that his administration hoped that their members of parliament would support the supplementary budget.
“It’s NOT nkongole, it’s surplus, elyashi,” remarked President Hichilema.
