The Government released a total of K6.1 billion to finance various operations of the Government during the month of October.
Out of the amount released, a total of K2.4 billion was released on Personal Emoluments, K1.5 billion on debt service, and K1.1 billion on Grants and other payments while the remainder of K1.1 billion was spent on other key programmes.
Finance Minister Margaret Mwanakatwe says personal emoluments at K2.4 billion went towards timely payment of salaries to various civil servants including teachers, medical personnel and police officers.
Mrs. Mwanakatwe says grants to Universities amounted to K80.1 million, Student Loans and Scholarships amounted to K99.9 million; Grants to schools amounted to K60.8 million; and, to enable implementation of planned activities, the Skills Development Fund was funded K20 million.
“K344.9 million was released to Grant Aided Institutions for their operations while various Ministries received K92 million. And to restock drugs and medical supplies in hospitals, the Treasury released K150 million to the Ministry of Health. K170.3 million (summing to K1.142 billion in 2018) was released towards the Farmer Input Support Programme [FISP] to cater for liquidation of outstanding arrears and implementation of the e-voucher programme for the forthcoming 2018/2019 farming season. The Food Security Pack which also complements the FISP, has received a total of K50 million so far,” she said.
The Finance Minister said the Food Reserve Agency got K23 million for procurement of maize and other grains to meet the strategic reserve requirements.
She added that releases for capital expenditure totaled K233.2 million of which K158.1 million went to the roads sector for completion of some road projects and toll gates, K29.9 million to the Rural Electrification Programme for to increase electrification rates in rural arrears, and K45.1 million to other capital related expenditures.
“Another highlight is the K13.7 million which was given to Ministries, Provinces, and Spending Agencies [MPSA’S] for liquidation of outstanding liabilities. The total releases for this exercise stands at K333.2 million in 2018. The Zambia Revenue Authority received a grant amounting K61.7 million to enable them implement planned activities aimed at enhancing tax collection,” she said.
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