Budget delays stall key Zambezi development projects

Patience Makwele

Schools under construction, sewerage upgrades and agricultural projects in the Zambezi region are facing implementation delays because government funds are not reaching implementing institutions on time, this was revealed by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Budget and Finance.

The findings follow a week-long oversight visit to the region, where the committee assessed the implementation of government-funded projects and examined whether public funds which were allocated to ministries, regional authorities and local councils were being used for their intended purposes.

Acting committee chairperson Werner Iita said the committee found no major irregularities in the utilisation of public funds.

However, he said delayed disbursement of approved budget allocations continues to slow the implementation of projects intended to improve public services and stimulate local economic development.

“The challenge is not necessarily that money has not been allocated but that funds do not always reach implementing institutions on time. We need mechanisms to ensure capital projects are not delayed because of late disbursements,” Iita said.