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Government has this month released a total amount of K1.8 billion to finance public service delivery from the 2023 national budget.
The execution of the 2023 budget has commenced on a smooth note, according to the Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane.
Musokotwane said this in a statement issued in Lusaka on Thursday to update the nation on the funds released.
“Since the start of the year a few days ago, the Treasury has so far released a total amount of K1.8 billion to finance public service delivery,” he said.
Musokotwane stated that K668.6 million had been released to service debt, both domestic and external.
He tabulated that K619.8 million was released to service the domestic debt while K48.8 million was channelled to external debt (multilaterals).
He also said K419.3 million was released to finance school grants under the Ministry of Education and K217.8 million for the Secondary Schools and skills development training bursaries under Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
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“Infrastructure development: K165.2 million was released towards road infrastructure rehabilitation and development;
“Dismantling arrears: K200 million was released towards dismantling of arrears for suppliers of goods and services to the Government,” Musokotwane said.
On general operations, he pointed out that K169.4 million was released to finance service delivery in various Government institutions.
Musokotwane explained that notable in this category, included: K55 million released to the Ministry of Agriculture for prevention of Army Worms, K88.3 million for operations and other public sector programmes; and K26.1 million released as donor funds to various institutions.
“We reiterate the call by the Minister of Finance and National Planning for Ministries, Provinces and Agencies to ensure that funds are absorbed and utilised on budgeted programmes – in a timely, efficient and effective manner in order to achieve the Government’s set transformational objectives outlined in the National Budget and the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP),” he said.
Meanwhile, the ministry confirmed that Musokotwane would host a Town-Hall Forum on the 2022 Budget and Economic Affairs Performance and 2023 Budget Execution tomorrow.
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