Goodall Gondwe pressured on budget — Kamlepo Kalua
Member of Parliament for Rumphi East Kamlepo Kalua on Wednesday claimed that looking at how allocations in the 2015/2016 have been made, Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe might have been working under pressure.
Kalua said it was surprising that while budgetary allocations to government ministries and departments were trimmed, State Residences vote has enjoyed an increment.
“There are a lot of inconsistencies in this budget. Why did the Minister of Finance reduce allocations to most ministries and departments but increased allocations to State Residences? Maybe he was working under duress. If that is the case, it is sad because it will affect national development,” said Kalua, who further said the budget has a lot of hidden figures.
According to Budget Document Number 5 State Residences has been allocated K7.756 billion. In the 2014/2015 financial year, State Residences was allocated K5.414 billion.
But Kalua’s claim did not go unchallenged as Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Chaponda, stood on point of order.
“The Honourable Member is out of order to say that the Minister of Finance was working under duress. He is misinforming the nation because, before the budget was tabled, the Minister conducted nationwide consultations,” Chaponda said.
Kalua, however, continued to tear apart the 2015/2016 financial plan, saying it does not offer any solutions to the problems the country is facing.
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