National budget for 2019 is cosmetic – Nkombo

Opposition United Party for National Development (UPND) Mazabuka Central Member of Parliament Garry Nkombo says the 2019 national budget is as cosmetic as the previous budgets that have been presented in the past years.

Mr. Nkombo told journalists at parliament buildings that the budget is sugar coated to make citizens feel as though things will get better, when the worst is yet to come.

He  has predicted that come March next year, the cost of living will be unbearable as commodities will go high and citizens will be taxed more.

Mr Nkombo states that money has been put in non priority areas such as public order which he says is not necessary because the country is not in any war situation.

He has further pointed out that the allocation of 6.1 billion kwacha towards road infrastructure and for continuation of the Link Zambia 8000 project puts the government at loggerheads as it is against what the government has been preaching on prioritizing projects that are 80% complete.

Mr Nkombo has since urged Zambians to brace themselves for harder times in 2019 as they will have to tighten their belts.