HH Calls For Budget Increase After Revenue Windfall

President Hakainde Hichilema has called on Finance Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane to present a supplementary budget of approximately K22 billion to parliament. This would increase the government’s total spending plans for 2022 to K195 billion, up from K123 billion in 2021. 

In a post to his Facebook page, the President said the additional revenue has arisen as the result of “financial prudence”.  He then pledged to use the money to increase funding towards the fertiliser support programme, as well as dismantling arrears for government suppliers and contractors, paying retirees and building more roads. 

In an apparent dig at the previous Patriotic Front government, President Hichilema said that “the resources have been allocated to benefit our citizens and generate more revenue as opposed to lavish lifestyles in private jets, VXs and outright looting.”

The President then called on MPs to support the budget when it is presented to parliament for approval.

The supplementary spending plan follows the trend set by the previous UPND budget in October, which aimed to bring down the cost of living for Zambians by massively increasing funding for the social cash transfer and Constituency Development Fund (CDF) schemes.

Farmers in particular will be pleased with the proposed help for the cost of fertiliser, after the war between Ukraine and Russia caused a massive spike in global fertiliser prices. This has in turn been blamed with precipitating food shortages in countries around the world, including in Africa.