. Kandeta
By SYLVESTER MWALE –
THE Government has collected K2.73 billion from domestic VAT and non-tax revenues during the month of August.
The amount represents an over performance of 10 per cent after the Government had targeted to rake in K2.48 billion for the month.
Finance Ministry public relations officer Chileshe Kandeta said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that increase in revenue collection was due to increased collections on domestic VAT and non-tax revenues.
By categorisation, tax revenue collections amounted to K2.02 billion while non-tax revenues totaled K710 million for last month’s collection.
From a blend collection of tax revenue, non-tax revenue and domestic borrowing, the treasury released K4.11 billion during the month under review for development programmes and government operations.
“Among the major expenditure items was K890 million which was given to the National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) for onward disbursement to the Road Development Agency for road infrastructure programmes,” Mr Kandeta said.
The Government was keen to effectively deliver its promises to the nation and Mr Kandeta urged implementing agencies to ensure that targeted infrastructure was attended to and attain a proper state of usability.
This would be crucial not only for the efficient haulage of crop harvest and farmer inputs, but also for efficient and cost effective transportation of persons, goods and livestock.
The treasury also released K160 million to the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) for crop purchase and K50 million for the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).
He said the release of funds for FISP was consistent with the Government’s long-term objective to diversify the economy, improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers and ensure countrywide food security.
Other expenditure includes K11 million for water and sanitation programmes, K12.5 million for the Social Cash Transfer Programme and K12 million for the mobile national registration exercise.
Mr Kandeta said K811 million went towards debt service as the Government realised that consistent and timely debt service was important as it ensured that the country remained attractive in credit rating assessments.
