Saasa describes 2015 budget as bold

Economist Oliver Saasa has described the 2015 national budget unveiled by Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda today as being bold and touching on many areas of the economy.

Prof. Saasa told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka today soon after the budget presentation speech at parliament that the support the crop marketing season is receiving in the 2015 budget was encouraging.

He said he was happy that the agriculture sector is receiving enough attention from government because it is a key sector of the economy.

Prof. Saasa said this should encourage  the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to reach out to the remotest parts of the country to ensure that they purchase enough maize from the farmers.

He said the increase in budgetary allocation will ensure that effective extension services  will equip farmers  with knowledge and skills to remain productive.

Prof. Saasa said it was good that 500 more extension officers will be recruited as this will better equip  farmers on the technical know-how.

Meanwhile , commenting on the budget , Zambia Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) president Leonard Hikaumba said the labour movement was not happy with the continued wage freeze.

Mr. Hikaumba described the situation as illegal saying government as an employer cannot continue with the wage freeze in 2015.

He said it was sad to note that government has given a deaf ear to their plight even after making submissions to the Ministry of Finance.