JCTR Director Leonard Chiti says 2015 national budget is encouraging

Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) Director Leonard Chiti says the 2015 national budget is encouraging as it is exhibiting economic independence.

Fr. Chiti told ZANIS in an interview today soon after the budget speech presentation by Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda at parliament that the budget is impressive as it has taken a different direction from the previous budgets presented by the government.

He said he was happy with the allocation in the education sector as this has the potential to provide financial independence in the masses.

Fr. Chiti said the growth of the education sector requires a lot of attention from government as many children travel long distances to their schools.

Fr. Chiti said many schools are not equipped with the right teaching materials which was detrimental to the education sector.

He however said he was disappointed with the allocation in the health sector because there are a lot of challenges that it is facing which JCTR had hoped the 2015 budget would address.

Fr. Chiti said the allocation to the constitution making process is demoralizing as the amount allocated is minimal to complete the process.

He said the K29.3 million was not enough and that this called for lobbying for funds from various stakeholders in the country.

Fr. Chiti said the low funding will result in the delay in the constitution making process which has already dragged-on  for a long time.

Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda today unveiled a K46.6 billion 2015 national budget in parliament.