The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction in Zambia has advised that funds that will be saved from the implementation of the austerity measures as announced by government should be channeled to critical programs that need financing.
CSPR Executive Director Patrick Nshindano has cited the National Census as one such program saying it is a very important process that is tied to a number of developmental Processes.
Mr. Nshindano has also noted the need to for the exercise to be done early to ensure credibility in the national elections scheduled for 2021, after the census is held in 2020.
He says in an interview with Money FM News, that it is therefore important that sufficient resources are generated to be able to finance the national Census for population and housing.
The Executive Director has however acknowledged that the country is facing fiscal challenges and the delayed commencement of the nationwide preparations towards the actual process does not come as a surprise.
He says this highlights the importance of the effective implementation of the austerity measures.