New Ministries Will Increase Govt spending – Kopakopa
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NewsFinancial analyst Naylor Kopakopa has warned that […]
Financial analyst Naylor Kopakopa has warned that the proposed creation of additional ministries could increase government expenditure at a time when Zambia needs to manage its limited financial resources.
Kopakopa said the proposed separation of the electricity and petroleum portfolios into separate ministries among other ministries to be added would add costs without necessarily improving oversight of the sectors.
Speaking in an interview with Zambian Business Times-ZBT, he said the departments could continue operating under the existing structure, provided there was proper monitoring and supervision.
“I don’t see the reason why creating more ministries at a time when we don’t have money. Those ministries could still function the way they are. You just choose the departments and ensure proper monitoring,” he said.
Kopakopa said establishing additional ministries would require more infrastructure and personnel, placing further pressure on public finances.
He argued that the Government should instead consider reducing the number of ministries rather than expanding the administrative structure.
Kopakopa also questioned the need for additional Members of Parliament brought into the National Assembly through the proportional representation system, arguing that the increased number of MPs could create pressure for more ministerial positions.
He suggested that the expansion of ministries could be partly motivated by the need to accommodate more political office holders, a development he said could negatively affect the economy.
Article by Karen Ngulube.
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