BUDGET NEEDS PERFORMANCE CHECKS
By MUKOSELA KASALWE LACK of an effective performance framework in the public service is the biggest drawback to the 2018 budget, says Party for National Unity president Highvie Hamududu.
Mr Hamududu said Government’s failure to implement performance-based contract system was nullifying all efforts towards socio-economic progress.
He implored the Minister of Finance, Mr Felix Mutati to insist that the government through Cabinet Office put in place a comprehensive performance-based contract system that can underpin results for the 2018 budget.
Mr Hamududu said the system should cover all ministries, provinces and all spending agencies.
Commenting on the 2018 national budget at the weekend, Mr Hamududu said the results orientation in the public sector was pathetic and toxic to the already stressed fiscal space.
He said without such a system the budget would flop even before being approved and implemented.
“The government's failure to implement performance based contract system is nullifying all efforts towards socio-economic progress.
“The Minister of Finance must insist that government through Cabinet Office put in place a comprehensive performance-based contract system that can underpin results for the 2018 budget,” Mr Hamududu said.
Mr Hamududu described district councils’ performance all around the country as pathetic and below par.
He said the first thing needed would be to put in place an effective delivery system as putting money in ineffective systems was tantamount to wasting national resources.