EAZ opposes postponing presentation of 2019 national budget

EAZ President Lubinda Habaazoka

The Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ) has opposed the suggestion to postpone the presentation of the 2019 national budget in view of the suspension of financial aid by some cooperating partners.

EAZ president Lubinda Habaazoka says any delay in the presentation of the 2019 budget would amount to flouting the law.

Mr. Habaazoka says the Zambian Constitution clear stipulates a specific time during which the national budget must be presented to Parliament.

In an interview with QTV News by telephone, Dr. Habaazoka has also expressed doubt that the frozen donor aid to Zambia will have much impact on the national budget.

Dr. Habaazoka who is also Director for the School of Business at the University of Zambia (UNZA) says this is because dependence on donor aid to finance the budget has been reducing significantly over the years.

He says this means that even if changes were to be made to the 2019 national budget in view of the suspended aid, government will not need much time to make such changes.

Dr. Habaazoka states that the EAZ is therefore of the idea that government goes ahead with the presentation of the 2019 national budget on Friday this week.