Track 2018 budget, media urged

By MUKOSELA KASALWE THE media has been urged to keep track of the 2018 National Budget implementation if citizens and communities are to benefit from the allocated funds, says Civil Society for Poverty Reduction programmes director Edward Musosa.

Mr Musosa said the media should not just stop at reporting about the National Budget presentation but follow up the issues surrounding the document.

He said the media were key in the National Budget process if citizens and communities were to receive quality social services.

Mr Musosa said this yesterday in Lusaka at a two-day workshop sponsored by the American Embassy dubbed “Capacity building for journalists in Zambia report- ing on public funds expenditure” and implored scribes to hold responsible officers accountable.

“The media should keep track of the 2018 National Budget implementation if citizens are to benefit. The media should not just take keen interest to report about the budget presentation and end there but should follow up if these funds are properly utilised,” he said. Mr Musosa said there was need for more engagement of key players such as Members of Parliament at an early stage as they got to hear about the budget presentation at the same time like every citizen.

He implored the media to investigate alleged misappropriation of funds even before the Auditor General’s report was released. Mr Musosa said lack of a legal framework such as a Budget Act had proved to be a challenge even though there was a policy in place.