LEGISLATORS yesterday welcomed the 2023 National Budget presented by Finance and Economic Development Minister Professor Mthuli Ncube saying it would stimulate economic development as envisaged by the National Development Strategy 1.
They said Minister Ncube had managed to put enough fiscal measures that will improve the lives of ordinary people in the country.
Vice President and Health and Child Welfare Minister Dr Constantino Chiwenga said they will use their budget allocation to ensure everyone accesses health services as well as to improve conditions of service for health workers.
“The Budget seeks to ensure that everyone has access to health services.
“We will try to use the money prudently to make sure that everyone gets health access.
“This is so because if we are to develop our country, it has to be done by people who are healthy.
“Everyone else would want more but we know that we build a country brick-by-brick.
“The Budget allocation is not about providing medical services alone, but improving the working environment for health workers and their conditions of service,” he said.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister, Professor Paul Mavima, said the Budget allocation to his ministry would be used to provide social safety nets for vulnerable people among other critical areas.
“The allocations are fair given the resource envelop. Ours will go towards the Basic Education Assistance Module, food deficit mitigation measures, harmonised cash transfers which are our social safety nets for the country.
“We received an allocation of $97 billion. It will cover those programmes that are essential. We know that should we need more we can always go back to Treasury. The emphasis on social protection was clear,” he said.
Zanu PF Chief Whip, Cde Pupurai Togarepi, said the Budget sought to cater for all sectors of the economy.
“It is a very good budget and sensitive to social areas of our people. As you build or develop an economy there are always people who will suffer.
“The Minister has also included those people in his efforts meaning everyone will be catered for, so it is an inclusive budget,” said Cde Togarepi.
Mashonaland East Proportional Representative MP Cde Tatenda Mavetera (Zanu PF) said the Budget addressed social safety nets to ensure that every child has access to education.
“We are happy about the national budget and ready to support it. It seeks to improve social services in Ministries such as Health, and Primary and Second Education among others.
“There is, however, a need to raise the Health Ministry vote to meet the Abuja Declaration which stipulates that 15 percent of the budget should go to health,” she said.
Harare East MP Mr Tendai Biti (CCC) felt that there was a need to denominate the Budget in United States dollars given the fact that most products were being quoted in that currency.
He bemoaned the decision to restore duty on basic commodities saying it would take away disposable incomes from ordinary people.
Mbizo MP Mr Settlement Chikwinya (CCC) said there was a need to remove the tax burden on ordinary people. – The Herald
