Bivan Saluseki
26 February 2003
Lusaka — GOVERNMENT owes local food and services suppliers more than K374 billion, finance deputy minister Mbita Chitala has told Parliament.
Answering a question from Mongu Central UPND member of parliament Francis Simenda yesterday, Chitala said food suppliers in Western Province were owed K3.1 billion as at September 30, 2002.
Chitala said the suppliers would be paid upon approval of the budget and that K73.4 billion had been set aside this year to pay various bills.
"Some amount will be paid, however the time will depend on the availability of money," he said.
Chitala said it was not the pleasure of government to owe money deliberately.
"Sooner than later, we shall pay all our suppliers," he said.
Chitala said the issue of debt was a normal thing.
He said though the debts could put pressure on businesses, he pleaded that those dealing with government should understand the difficulties government was going through.
And during the debate on estimates of expenditure for the Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare, Namwala UPND member of parliament Ompie Nkumbula-Liebenthal said if Zambia was serious about reducing poverty, money should be put through to the right programmes.
Nkumbula-Liebenthal said poverty was going to rise if money to fight it was reduced.
"If you don't put money in these programs, you are not going anywhere," she said.
Kabwata UPND member of parliament Given Lubinda said government was negating its responsibility towards the disabled people by reducing the allocation to the council for the disabled.
Lubinda said Zambia seemed to be losing direction not only politically and economically but also socially.
He said even the National Arts Council had been given little money.
"We should be developing a feeling of patriotism and nationalism and that's through art," he said.
Earlier, Deputy Speaker Jason Mfula complained about the members of parliament's failure recently, to form a quorum after tea breaks.
Mfula advised members of parliament to attach seriousness to time.
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