GOVERNMENT has this month released K1.8 billion to finance public service delivery from the 2023 national budget.
Minister of Finance and National Planning, Situmbeko Musokotwane said execution of the 2023 budget had commenced on a smooth note.
Dr Musokotwane said this in a statement issued on Thursday to update the nation on the funds released.
“Since the start of the year a few days ago, the Treasury has so far released a total amount of K1.8 billion to finance public service delivery,” he said.
Dr Musokotwane stated that K668.6 million had been released to service debt, both domestic and external.
He explained that K619.8 million would go towards domestic debt service while K48.8 million was channeled to external debt (multilaterals).
He also said K419.3 million was released to finance school grants under the Ministry of Education and K217.8 million was for the Secondary Schools and skills development training bursaries under Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
“K165.2 million was released towards road infrastructure rehabilitation and development. K200 million was released towards dismantling of arrears for suppliers of goods and services to the Government,” Dr Musokotwane said.
On general operations, Dr Musokotwane said K169.4 million was released to finance service delivery in various Government institutions.
Dr Musokotwane explained that notable in this category, included K55 million released to the Ministry of Agriculture for prevention of Army Worms, K88.3 million for operations and other public sector programmes, and K26.1 million released as donor funds to various institutions.
“We reiterate the call for Ministries, Provinces and Agencies to ensure that funds are absorbed and utilised on budgeted programmes in a timely, efficient and effective manner in order to achieve the Government’s set transformational objectives outlined in the National Budget and the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP),” he said.
