A former civic leader has appealed to Kabwe Municipal Council to heed President Hakainde Hichilema’s directive for local authorities to adequately sensitize communities on the importance of the Constituency Development Funds (CDF).
Billy Sichamba, said there is urgent need for the local authority to sensitize the general public so that they know the usage, allocation, and disbursement of CDF.
Mr Sichamba observed that most of the communities in Kabwe lack basic knowledge on CDF and that this can be seen from the many comments and concerns they raise on various issues.
And the former Mayor cited his observation when he featured on a programme dubbed “Power to the People” on power FM that the calls, comments, and concerns people raised, it was apparent that they do not fully understand the differences between CDF and central government funds.
He said some callers called to complain about poor roads and how the CDF is not being used to construct the roads to bituminous standard despite government increasing the CDF allocation per Constituency from the previous K1.6million to K28.3 million.
He said these concerns are a clear indication that there are some lapses when it comes to understanding the projects that are supposed to be undertaken using CDF as well as those that require the funding from the central government.
Mr Sichamba, therefore, said the local authority, the Members of Parliament, the Civic Leaders, and other politicians have a huge role to play in ensuring that they disseminate adequate information on CDF to the general public in order to bridge the existing gaps.
He added that the Civil Servants, the Ward Development Committees, as well as other line ministries, should equally take keen interest in creating the much-needed awareness in the communities.
He observed that the people are in dire need of information and that it is only when they understand something that they would buy into it and effectively monitor the on-going projects and developments in their localities.
Mr Sichamba said there is also need for consistency in informing the general public on what is obtaining in their constituencies with regards to how the funds are being spent as this will help to provide proper checks and balances to the government.
He said President Hichilema is always on record advising MPs and the local authorities to ensure that there is adequate awareness around the CDF but that people still lack basic information which is a serious concern.
“I believe that there are various channels of communication that can be employed in ensuring that the general public are made aware of CDF, because effective communication is part of development,” he advised.
You also need to sensitize yourselves on LGBT rights. You are so behind and uncivilised. That is why you can’t handle simple cdf
You Pervert,when are you going to drop your Gay Nonsense,Zambians will never accept rascals like you,you need help,seek help from serious men of God like Bishop Joel Imakando to deliver you
My god is gay, I don’t know what god you pray to or imakando. Imakando has gay friends and even receives money from gay donors. Wake up to reality. Your children may end up gay. Are you going to hate them?
If everyone became gay, who is going to bear children?
Do you think it was a mistake that God created Adam and Eve and not Adam and Steve?
You are not going to change our African culture.
Why are you trying to force African countries to accept something that is alien to our culture? Why are you afraid of the rich Arab nations?
Pirhana we are not asking everyone to be gay, like the way some of you heterosexuals want everyone to be heterosexual. We are only asking for our rights to be respected and protected. We are not stopping you from doing what you want, so why have an issue with our choices as gays? Who says we all want to have kids through natural birth? Don’t make assumptions based on your own preferences. It makes you look ignorant and unexposed
I don’t live in an Arab country. I live in zambia. If the Arab nations are who you envy for their homophobic views then why don’t you move there? I guess it’s because they hate negros more than they hate gays?
I BELIEVE THIS CHAP WAS A CLOWN ASK THE RESIDENTS FOR CONFORMATION