The Zambian government has bought new vehicles for its ministers at a time when the country is facing a huge budget deficit that has led to some donors to withhold aid, an official said on Friday.
The government has purchased 25 Toyota Land Cruisers for cabinet ministers and 16 Nissan Terranos for deputy ministers, a government official said.
”The Nissan vehicles for deputy ministers will cost $45 449 for one,” said the official on condition of anonymity.
Zambia is currently projected to overrun its 2003 budget by 600 billion kwacha (about $80-million). The outlay for the vehicles comes at a time when the government is trying to cut costs.
This week the government said it would consider cutting the salaries and benefits of civil servants, while President Levy Mwanawasa and members of his cabinet last month agreed to a 30% cut in their salaries.
But Information Minister Mutale Nalumango said the vehicles had been included in the budget and approved by Parliament.
”The purchase of the vehicles is not part of the projected budget overrun,” she said.
Commerce Minister Dipak Patel, who is an opposition lawmaker, said he would not use his new vehicle in recognition of Zambia’s current economic challenges.
”I will not use any of these new vehicles. Actually, I have always used my private vehicle since I was appointed minister,” Patel said.
Trade unions have condemned the government for buying the new vehicles, accusing it of insensitivity towards Zambia’s economic plight.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said it will not release $100-million in economic support to Zambia until the government explained how it would deal with the budget overrun. – Sapa-AFP