2022 NATIONAL BUDGET UNDER THREAT
By OLIVER SAMBOKO
FAILURE by Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane to present to parliament, the National Development Plan for approval will have catastrophic consequences on the passing of the national budget, says Lunte Member of Parliament Mutotwe Kafwaya.
Mr Kafwaya who raised a matter of urgent public importance, yesterday warned that if the budget which is being considered in parliament does not pass through, it will be catastrophic for the country.
He said Parliament is under threat because the government wants to bring a law based on a draft national development plan which has not been brought to Parliament for approval. Mr Kafwaya explained that article number 205 (C) of the constitution prescribes how the budget process should be done.
Mr Kafwaya also said the national planning and budgeting Act is very clear and provides that the Minister of Finance and National planning shall lay before the national assembly the national development plan for approval.
He further said the Act provides that subject to the constitution, the national budget shall operationalize the implementation of the national development plan.
Mr Kafwaya said since the yellow book is out, Parliament is expected to enact an appropriation Act for the national budget but however, noted that how that will be done is based on the draft of the 8th national plan that has not been brought to Parliament by the new dawn Government for approval.
He warned that if the house goes ahead to enact the appropriation Act, and the national development plan is rejected in Parliament, there will be a crisis.
Mr Kafwaya said the executive side of Government is intimidating the opposition in Parliament so that they don’t voice out on the wrongs in the new dawn government.
“We are being told to stop talking and be ashamed so that we don’t voice out these wrong things,” he said, adding that parliament deserves respect from everyone including those from the executive.
He said all members of Parliament are equal because they come to the house courtesy of the Zambian people who voted for them.
Meanwhile, First Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Malungo Chisangano has directed the Finance and Planning Minister to come to the house to explain the budget process to members of Parliament.
She explained that she is informed that the National Development Plan will soon be submitted to Parliament, but because of the confusion, the minister has been asked to come to the house and explain the process.
