AAAZ COMMENDS K49.1BN BUDGET RELEASE

In a statement issued Monday, AAAZ Communications Officer Melbourne Mushitu said the organisation was encouraged by the Government's continued investment in key sectors that directly improve the lives of citizens.

"We welcome the Government's release of K49.1 billion towards public service delivery, social protection, infrastructure development and community development. These allocations are an important investment in improving the well-being of citizens, protecting vulnerable households and advancing inclusive national development," Mushitu said.

She said the organisation particularly welcomed the allocation of K700 million for essential medicines and medical supplies, K1.5 billion for the Social Cash Transfer Programme, K610 million for Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects and K300 million for the Food Security Pack Programme.

Mushitu said these investments demonstrated the Government's commitment to financing critical national priorities and ensuring better service delivery.

However, she said transparency should not end with announcing budget allocations.

"While we commend the Government for prioritising these investments, transparency should extend beyond announcing financial allocations. Citizens also deserve to know the expected impact of these public investments," she said.

Mushitu urged the Government to begin publishing the estimated number of households and communities expected to benefit from each allocation.

"Government should complement future budget releases with information on the estimated number of vulnerable households expected to benefit from the Social Cash Transfer Programme and the Food Security Pack Programme, the number of citizens expected to benefit from the procurement of medicines and medical supplies, and the number of CDF projects and communities expected to benefit from the allocations," she said.

She said providing such information would strengthen transparency, improve accountability and allow citizens to monitor whether public resources were reaching the intended beneficiaries.

Mushitu further called on the Government to provide regular updates on the implementation of the allocations, including progress made, beneficiaries reached and results achieved.

"Transparent reporting on both expenditure and outcomes is essential to building public confidence, enhancing value for money and ensuring that every public investment contributes meaningfully to national development," she said.

She added that regular reporting and clear beneficiary targets would help strengthen public trust by demonstrating that public funds were making a tangible difference in the lives of Zambians.

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