K4.8 billion spent in November 2018 on public service operations.

Margret Mwanakatwe

The Ministry of Finance released a total of k4.8 billion in November 2018 to finance public service operations and sustain service delivery.

Of this amount, K943 Million was funded to service both the domestic and external debt; K940 million went towards grants to various institutions;k1 billion was released to finance various government projects, programmes and general operations; and , k1.9 billion went towards the public service wage bill.

The treasury also released a total of K169.3 million as constituency development fund (CDF) in November to support various community-based projects in all constituencies.

Commenting on the budget releases, Minister of Finance Margaret Mwanakatwe says the reforms related to the removal of consumption subsidies and the austerity measures which the government has implemented are now bearing fruit as seen by the timely releases of funds to productive sectors such as agriculture and to social sectors such as education, health, and public welfare.

Mrs Mwanakatwe has called on ministries, provinces and other controlling bodies to remain instrumental in actualizing president Edgar Lungu’s vision of developing the country without leaving anyone behind by ensuring that there is prudence in the management and utilization of public resources at all times.

She has also pointed out that this is the first time in a long time that the treasury has not lagged behind in releasing resources for the constituency development fund.

She states that of the K4.8 billion total funding for November 2018, releases for capital expenditure totaled K422.9 million was for payment towards continued works and completion of road projects across the country, K10.6 million went towards the rural electrification programme, and K49.8 million for other capital expenditure programmes across the nation.

Mrs Mwanakatwe says k458.7 million went towards the farmer input support programme (FISP) to cater for the speedy implementation of the programme during the current 2018/2019 farming season, through both the e-voucher and the direct redeeming programme windows.

She adds that total amount released towards the fisp programme now stands at K1.7 billion from January 2018 to end november,2018.

The minister has further revealed that the food reserve agency received K50 million to liquidate some outstanding bills and to procure maize and other grains in accordance with state stipulations for strategic reserve requirements.