The government has expressed concern about the low utilization of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Acting Secretary to the Treasury Mukuli Chikuba says that leaders spearheading the CDF need to sensitize citizens on how to acquire funds.
Speaking during a capacity building workshop organized for the local authorities, Mr. Chikuba noted that CDF has been characterized by both successes and challenges.
He noted that there is need to develop capacity in local authorities, constituency development fund committee, ward development committees and other stakeholders, to enhance efficiency in the management and utilization of the CDF.
The Acting Secretary to the Treasury noted that adequate capacity in local authorities for CDF projects and programmes, will benefit the community members.
Mr. Chikuba said that the implementation of CDF projects and programmes should be disseminated correctly to avoid misinformation.
“Disseminate correct information on the CDF to the public to avoid misinformation which has resulted into defrauding of citizens in some instances”, he added.
And Mr. Chikuba noted that local authorities and stakeholders should engage in sensitization to ensure that the public is aware.
“The success of the CDF is dependent on many factors and one of the factors is the efficient and effective management and utilization process” he noted.
And Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development Permanent Secretary for Technical Services Wisdom Bwalya said that capacity building on CDF will help spur development agenda of the country.
He noted that there are a lot of challenges surrounding CDF and there was need to address them.
“We have a lot of challenges, such as sensitization which is not doing very well” Mr. Bwalya noted.
He said that it was worrying that money was lying in the accounts and was not been utilized for its intended purpose.
Speaking at the same function, Cabinet Office Permanent Secretary for Special Duties Nicholas Phiri noted that the success of the implementation of CDF will be the success of the country, saying the programmes will help alleviate poverty existing in the communities.
It doesn’t seem to come up with anybody that CORRUPTION is still rife in local government, so people are just not wasting any time, knowing that those funds have already been allocated to people with ‘special interest’
#1 you will miss the point/problem if you keep looking back. We have a chance to do the right thing with this money. This meeting I am sure brain stormed about the challenges. That is what must be addressed. Making decisions from the offices about their personal perceptions as displayed from the opening remarks from the officials above is wrong. The attendees in that meeting know the problem.
People need to be taught how to you utilise CDF before MPs come up with reasons to use it via proxy companies.
These are teething problems that will come to pass.
ITS SO SAD FOR ME AFTER LEANING THE PROCEDURES ATTARCHED TO THE SAME CDF MONEY ESPECIALLY THE ASPECT OF SUBMITTING ALL THE PROPOSALS TO THE MINISTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOR APPROVAL WHILE ON THE OTHER END THEY ARE PREACHING DECENTRALISATION WE WANT TO BE SEEING THE USE OF THE MONEY AT EARLIEST POSSIBLE TIME E.G THE TOWNSHIP ROADS IN MANSA PROMOTIN OF SME”S AND SO FORTH
When MPs are aligned to cooperatives, how should one expect the masses to participate? I think Government needs to introspect.
Hand out of money without accountability was the way of life under PF. It all began with Chiluba brown envelopes, Michael Sata with a suitcase full of money dishing out to cadres with Golden Mandandi. Lungu had drug barons with diplomatic passports (hope now retrieved or given immunity) as curriers of illicit cash. :Lastly, Faith Chanda K65 million. Easy cash culture is inimical with CDF attached accountability. People will get worried as what’s in their mind is corruption. Remember PF has boastfully stated, it has its own people in the system – PF corruption is potentially present.
The drafters of the Guidelines know that no cooperative can easily access the money. If at all there is even the money. This starts to smell like it was just a ka sweet talk. Government has started preparing for 2023 budget. When will 2022 budget for CDF be utilised???
But PF cadres are always here complaining of hard life? This makes me wonder if they are living in Zambia? Cos if they are in Zambia-here is the CDF money, Mines are re-awakening & employing,Agriculture is booming, Tech start-ups are getting better everyday. So where do these guys live kansi? Congo or what?