SACCORD supports calls for increased CDF – Chibuluma

The Southern Africa Center for Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD) says calls by Parliamentarians to increase the Constitution Development Fund (CDF) are justified.
SACCORD Information Officer Obby Chibuluma said his organization realizes the importance that CDF plays in most parts of the country hence the need for it to be increased.

Mr. Chibuluma said the higher the amount of CDF that the Members of Parliament (MPs) are calling for the more development the country would witness. He told ZANIS in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that his organization had been able to see what CDF has done in the past years.

Mr. Chibuluma said much as his organization was aware that the fund had been politicized in some constituencies and that there had not been proper accountability, SACCORD backs calls for increased CDF.

He noted that there was need for the Patriotic Front government to put in place measures that would deter the MPs from misusing the funds. Mr. Chibuluma observed that the fund had helped to reduce the poverty levels at constituency level in most parts of the country.

“In the past, we have witnessed a lot of infrastructure development through these funds, so it would not be a bad idea for them to call for an increment,” Mr. Chibuluma said.
He said that it was important for MPs to call for an increment because the previous amount was too little for serious projects.

“These funds have been used for infrastructure development in the country such as Clinics, hospitals and schools among others, ‘’he said.

And Members of Parliament (MP) have continued to press government to increase the constituency Development Fund (CDF) from the current K720 million to K5 billion.

Contributing to debate on the Presidential speech to the National Assembly yesterday, MMD Lumezi Member of Parliament (MP), Isaac Banda said there was need for government to increase the CDF because of its important role in spearheading development in constituencies.

Mr. Banda who is former Eastern Province Minister said the previous government had embarked on a number of developmental projects which were mainly funded through CDF.

[pullquote]Members of Parliament (MP) have continued to press government to increase the constituency Development Fund (CDF) from the current K720 million to K5 billion.[/pullquote]

He explained that there was need to increase CDF to continue with the developments.

Mr. Banda has also called for the completion of major roads in the province which were started by the former regime.

He has also called on all Zambians to bury their political differences and work together regardless of political affiliation to develop the country.

And MMD Chipata Central MP, Mutolo Phiri said the CDF plays a key role in the development process of constituencies.

He said the increase in the CDF would help government in its plans to decentralize power to the local government.

Mr. Phiri has, meanwhile, commended President Michael Sata’s stance towards the fight against corruption and appealed to all members of parliament and other stakeholders to support the fight.

He also advised government to extend the fight against corruption to all sectors of the country.

Mr. Phiri has also appealed to government to continue with the many developments the former ruling party embarked in his constituency such as schools, health centers and roads.

He further urged government to consider increasing agriculture storage sheds and develop agricultural processing plants to carter for the increased agricultural production in the district.

Mr. Phiri has since pledged to work with Eastern Province Minister, Solomon Mbuzi to develop Chipata.

And UPND Kaoma Central MP, Carlos Antonio, also supported calls to increase the CDF.

Mr. Antonio also asked government to increase the number of beneficiaries under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).

And Alliance for Democracy and Development (ADD) MP for Luena Mulumemui Imenda also supported the need to increase CDF.

ZANIS

ZANIS