CUTS opposes Bill on Public Financial and Debt Management

The Consumer Unity Trust Society (CUTS) has opposed the Constitution of Zambia Amendment Bill No. 10 of 2019 on Public Financial Management and Debt Management.

Centre Coordinator Chennai Mukumba has regretted that the proposed constitution amendment bill will take away the provision that empowers Parliament to approve debt, contradicting the will of the people.

Speaking when she made a presentation on ‘The Effect of the Constitution of Zambia Bill No. 10 of 2019 on Public Financial Management and Debt Management’, Ms. Mukumba says the Auditor General’s office and the Office of the Public Protector will equally be weakened if the Constitution bill is adopted in its current form.

She says according to a survey conducted by her organisation, 69% of Zambians are concerned that there is lack of transparency about details of the government’s borrowing whereas 28% are not concerned.

Ms. Mukumba says the majority Zambians feel government has not been transparent and accountable in the manner it has been contracting debt.

She states that 58 percent of Zambians want parliament to approve all loans that the government contracts.