Lungu Directs Finance Minister To Clarify K10 Billion Stimulus Package

President Lungu has directed Finance Minister Bwalya Ngandu to clarify the conditions attached to the government’s K10 billion economic stimulus package, in order to make it easier for small and medium-sized businesses to benefit from the fund.

The directive was revealed by Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Dora Siliya during an interview on Covid-19 with ZNBC Radio 2.

This follows widespread criticism, including from former finance minister Katele Kalumba, that the government is not doing enough to advertise how businesses can benefit from the government’s Covid-19 relief package.

On May 7th, Mr Ngandu admitted that businesses had been slow to apply for funding and said the government would increase the number of non-bank financial institutions that are able to disburse the money. 

During the same radio interview, Ms Siliya also called on Zambians to remain patriotic during the coronavirus pandemic and not to make ‘baseless’ allegations of corruption agains the government’s handling of Covid-19 donations. 

This again follows criticism that the government has not been wholly accountable in managing its Covid-19 disbursements. 

Last week, UPND leader Hakainde Hichilema called on the government to be more prudent in its use of funding after medical researcher Ian Mutambo died in a traffic accident while transporting Covid-19 samples on a public bus. Health Minister Dr Chitalu Chilufya maintains it was sensible for the virus samples to be transported in this manner.