The Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) has called on government to make the recently announced stimulus packages accessible to prevent Zambians from politicizing the funds.
Speaking in an interview with Money FM News, Society vice Board Member Partner Siyabutuba said lack of clarity, availability and easy access to the money has led to the politicizing of the funds.
Mr Siyabutuba noted that failure to have easy access to the funds will not go well with the majority of business entities because they will be of the view that government is politically arranging the funds to would-wink citizens.
“We can be saying that do not politicize this money but at the end of the days we are not sure where the K10 billion is sitting, because everyone is running like headless chickens just to accesses the money but they cannot get it,” he said.
He has since urged government to announce where the announced stimulus packages are sitting as well as the accessibility process and procedure for easy access by business entities.
Mr Siyabutuba further observed the need for government to sensitize key stakeholders such as the District Business Associations and the Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industries of where the money is sitting so that they can educate their members on how be to benefit from the resources.
“This money is meant for that woman conducting a salon business in a compound, this money is meant for the man conducting some welding business in a compound and then you decided to put the money in a huge secretive banking arrangement , than what could you be communicating?” he questioned.
Recently, government announced about four stimulus packages aimed at cushioning the effects of Covid-19 for businesses and households and they include K10 billion Kwacha Stimulus package , K8 billion Covid-19 bond, 30 million Kwacha Youth Empowerment for artists and a US$29 million aquaculture youth empowerment fund.