LUSAKA, Zambia
Zambia’s President, Hakainde Hichilema, has said that the country’s treasury is empty causing failure for the country to service its long-standing debt.
The President attributed the empty
treasury to heavy consumption and wastage of public resources.
“We are taking over a country whose
treasury is empty. The treasury is empty, there is no money” said President
Hichilema.
Hichilema said there is urgent need for a
progressive budget that will realign management and usage of public resources
away from consumption and wastage to revenue generation and investment in
social and economic sectors.
The Head of State said this when he
swore- in Liuwa Member of Parliament, Situmbeko Musokotwane, as Minister of
Finance.
This will be Musokotwane’s second stint
as Minister of Finance, having served in the portfolio over ten years ago under
former President Rupiah Banda.
President Hichilema said Musokotwane is
highly qualified and has vast experience having served in various positions
such as Bank of Zambia Deputy Governor, Deputy Secretary to Cabinet for
Economic Affairs as well as special economic advisor to late President Levy
Mwanawasa.
President Hichilema has since tasked Musokotwane
to draw up a progressive budget and find money to ensure that services begin to
reach all Zambians especially the youths and vulnerable mothers across the
country.
Hichilema said the office of the Minister
of Finance is a core office for the realisation of campaign promises and his
administration’s agenda of reviving the economy to promote business growth, and
creation of jobs and wealth.
The President has therefore, directed the
Minister of Finance to address the tendering process in government and ensure
it is taken away from Lusaka to benefit all other regions.
Hichilema stressed that his Presidency
comes with a new way of doing things to ensure economic growth.
He said his administration remains
committed to creating jobs, attaining food security, promoting business growth
and education and health service delivery.
“Frivolous expenditure has no room in my
administration except for fiscal discipline. There will no longer be large
government delegations and government ministers and officials will have to
downgrade from business class, “the President explained.
President Hichilema said his
administration will adopt and pursue a zero-tolerance to corruption.
He said his government will let
institutions mandated to fight corruption to do their professional job and
ensure there is no political interference.
President Hichilema expressed delight
that local authorities are already collecting revenue from markets and bus
stations following the outlawing of cadreism.
He however challenged local authorities
to ensure that they start providing the necessary services to their residents
such as clean water, cleaning up markets, decent ablution services among
others.
The Head of State called for calm and
patience as he continues to constitute his Cabinet. He said he was compelled to
first appoint the minister of Finance in order for him to look for money and
draw up a budget.
“Be patient, we are in no rush, we are
organized, and methodical” said President Hichilema.
He assured that people will be appointed
in government on merit and their surname will not be a factor.
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