If UK wants its money, we’re ready to give it back – Lungu

President Edgar Lungu has challenged critics to provide an alternative to the announced 2019 national budget if they think it is not good enough.

Speaking shortly after arrival from New York where he attended the 73rd UN General Assembly, President Lungu wondered why he should in the first place comment on his own budget.

President Lungu has told journalists that his government will however allow Zambians to speak through their representatives in Parliament as the debate on the announced national budget continues.

And President Lungu says if the United Kingdom (UK) wants the money it donated to Zambia’s social cash transfer programme, his government is ready to give it back.

The President does not think government should hold back from giving back donor aid if it is available when a cooperating partner claims it back.

Meanwhile State House has emphasized that the presidential decision to dismiss Emerine Kabanshi as Minister of Community Development and Social Welfare was as it was.

Special Assistant to President for Press and Public Relations Amos Chanda says the dismissal of Ms. Kabanshi was an administrative change.

Mr. Chanda says President Lungu has continued making administrative changes within the Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare.

He says Ms. Kabanshi was not therefore fired because the 2.7 million pounds which the British government has demand was missing but because there was an inquiry much earlier.

Mr. Chanda notes that to this effect some junior officers have been asked to proceed on administrative leave to allow a smooth process of inquiry that is ongoing at the Ministry.

He says there is currently no specific allegation of corruption against anyone as what has been established in the preliminary findings is that some monies meant for the poor were paid to retirees.

Mr. Chanda says President Lungu also knows from these findings that some of the social cash transfer monies were used to rehabilitate ZAMPOST office and for paying daily subsistence allowances.

He states that for the fact there is an ongoing inquiry State House is trying as much as possible to stay away from the details so that it does not put pressure on the investigators.