Independent Patriots for Change Member of Parliament Michael Mwashindange questioned delayed invoice payments for suppliers of goods and services by state entities.

He says such actions could be a disadvantage to the economy, as the majority of these suppliers are SMEs who contribute to the country's GDP.

"I want to know what the control measures are that the Ministry of Finance, as the custodian of the state pass, is doing, or what measures do you have in place to enforce compliance with the policy of honouring deadlines to the respective formats?

Minister of Finance, Ericah Shafudah, acknowledged that some offices, agencies and ministries do in fact take long to honour the invoices from the suppliers.

She says the ministry has resolved to take stock of all invoices not paid for and to try to understand what are the reasons for the delays.

"Ordinarily, it's more from officers, ministers and agencies – officials that are just there sitting with those invoices, and they do not pay. So the government has then resolved that we are going to take stock of all of us, officers, ministers and agencies, and we have to tabulate the outstanding invoices that have not been honoured, and we are going to pay."