. Lungu

By NAKUBIANA SHABONGO –
DEPUTY Speaker of the National Assembly Mkhondo Lungu has called for the establishment of a Budget Office to help strengthen Parliament’s oversight role in the Budget process and public finance management.
Mr Lungu said the office would among other things analyse tax, economic forecasts, policy proposals and prepare budgetary briefs.
“One of the goals of parliamentary reforms in the area of public finance is the establishment of a Budget Office at Parliament,” Mr Lungu said.
“This process is key in strengthening Parliament’s oversight role in the Budget process from formulation, approval, implementation and audit.”
The Deputy Speaker made these remarks during the launch of the Support Programme to Public Finance, Management, Accountability and Statistics Support to the National Assembly in Lusaka yesterday.
The National Assembly’s three-year project amounting to 3.2 million euros is a component of the 10th European Development Fund programme with a total cost of 13 million euros and financially supported by the European Union (EU), that would assist the country with Public Finance Management, Accountability and Statistics.
Mr Lungu said the project would enhance capacity to analyse the draft Budget and make substantive timely policy and financial allocation enquiries to the Executive regarding proposed appropriations.
EU head of delegation to Zambia and COMESA, Gilles Hervio said effective financial scrutiny ensured that governments were held accountable for their actions and fiscal policy decisions and allowed Parliament to monitor public service provision and value for money.
Mr Hervio said parliamentary review and scrutiny of the execution of approved budgets was a key element of democratic accountability.
“This is also an important year for Parliament, particularly after the approval of Planning and Budgeting Policy. This policy reinforces the Parliament’s role in its scrutiny and oversight of the Budget and lays the foundation for the possible creation of a Budget Office if the legislation is enacted,” Mr Hervio said.
He said the Zambian National Assembly was one of the longest functioning legislatures in the Southern African region with a strong understanding of its role in the scrutiny of proposed appropriation and oversight of the Budget implementation
Ministry f Finance project coordinator, Mumba Chanda said the project would enhance economic governance in the country through improved public financial management, strengthened accountability and increased management for results.