-Access to information critical-Mubukwanu

Access to information critical-Mubukwanu

Solwezi, March 7, 2013, ZANIS…..North Western Province Minister Nathaniel Mubukwanu says citizens can only make government accountable if they have access to information.

The provincial minister says once empowered with information citizens can then meaningfully participate in the affairs of the country.

Mr. Mubukwanu said this in a speech read on his behalf by Acting Assistant Secretary Felix Ngoma during the dissemination workshop of the 2013 Citizens budget in Solwezi today.

Mr. Mubukwanu said government decided to develop the citizens budget targeting ordinary people to enable them clearly and simply understand the essential elements of the 2013 National budget.

He explained that the citizen’s budget is a summary of estimated revenue that government aims to collect and allocations of public resources that parliament has approved for the years 2013.

The minister noted that the national budget is significant as it touches on the lives of many Zambians hence the need to simplify budget documentation in the manner that will make citizens understand its key policies and objectives.

And a Solwezi resident Luckson Mulumbi praised government for coming up with the citizen’s budget saying it will enable citizens to demand for the much needed services.

Mr. Mulumbi has since urged the government to deliver the services as outlined in the citizen’s budget especially in agriculture, education and tourism.