— Malupenga dispels rumours over budget exemption

Malupenga dispels rumours over budget exemption

Solwezi, February 17, 2015, ZANIS —– North-western province Permanent Secretary Amos Malupenga has dispelled rumours  that the province has not been included in this year’s national budget.

Mr  Malupenga noted with sadness that some people have taken advantage of the information gap and decided to mislead the people.

He said it is grossly unfair for people to mislead the masses especially those that are not able to read and understand the contents
of the yellow book but largely depend on others for interpretation.

Mr Malupenga said it is not possible that the national assembly can approve the national budget without the inclusion of one province or
sector of the economy.

He was speaking in Solwezi today during the 2015 citizens’ budget dissemination public forum organized by the ministry of finance.

Rumours have lately circulated in the district that the province has been exempted in the this year’s national budget for unexplained reasons.

But however Mr Malupenga said government is committed to simplifying the contents of the national budget by formulating a simplified version of the
budget whose aim is to address the information gap.

He called on all stakeholders to work with government in making policy choices that will drive the country to prosperity by monitoring how
resources allocated for various activities are being utilized.

And Ministry of finance principal budget analyst Willis Chipango said the citizens’ budget is part of government’s continued effort for
transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.

Mr Chipango said government realizes that people cannot meaningfully participate in the affairs of the country and hold government
accountable if the budget is not precise and simple.