By Staff Writer
Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Brian Mundubile, says President Hakainde Hichilema’s announcement that Government saved US$ 150 million in this year’s Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) is meant to deceive Zambians from questioning the failures of his administration and to attract praise.
Mr Mundubile who is Patriotic Front (PF) Presidential Candidate, said the figures do not add up because the number of FISP beneficiaries remained the same while the quantum of support to a single beneficiary was also not increased.
“I would really want to know from the President how he saved US$ 150 million. It will be very difficult for one to convince us that they could actually be able to save up to that much because the last time we checked the figures, the total contracts were worth US$300 million so basically, they have saved 50 percent, how? when the prices have actually gone up. We have taken that with a pinch of salt,” he said.
He said that Government was preoccupied with procurement procedures of farming inputs without thinking of the people of Zambia, who are its number one client.
Mr Mundubile also said it was projected that the country would record low crop yields next year because Government had mishandled the distribution of farming inputs.
He said that Government was now avoiding using the services of the Auditor General’s Office, which is mandated to audit public institutions in preference of friendly private auditing firms.
