Parly yet to set up Budget Office

Senior Reporter
Parliament is yet to set up a Budget Office to capacitate MPs in budget formulation and debate despite the concept having already been approved.
The last Parliament proposed for the establishment of the Budget Office.
In an interview last week, Clerk of Parliament Mr Austin Zvoma said they did not have the resources to set up the office.
“The situation is not yet conducive, but we have discussed with Treasury that when the situation allows they should prioritise that,” he said.

The Budget Office is aimed at capacitating MPs with knowledge of budgetary processes so that they engage in informed debate.
Many lawmakers without an economics or financial background have often found it challenging to give meaningful input whenever budget discussions arise.

The Budget, Finance and Investment Portfolio Committee, then led by Goromonzi North MP Cde Paddy Zhanda (Zanu-PF) pushed through the idea of a Budget Office.
It was also envisaged that the office would cater for all portfolio committees to scrutinise Government ministries and departments that they shadow.

Opening the National Budget consultative forum for MPs in Victoria Falls last year, Speaker of the National Assembly Cde Jacob Mudenda called for the expeditious establishment of the Budget Office.