Power and Politics

Movement for Democratic Change expresses concerns over non-utilization of constituency funds

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The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has expressed surprise that some Constituencies are failing to carry out developmental programmes when government has made full allocation of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

MDC Vice President in-charge of Politics, Leonard Hikaumba, said this when he addressed a media briefing in Lusaka on Thursday.

He said reports that CDF resources were not utilized in some constituencies was saddening as this was depriving people of the desired development.

Hikaumba said CDF resources were meant for the development of constituencies, hence the need for priority projects to be funded by constituencies in order to promote development.

He said it can only be assumed that there were individuals in the underperforming constituencies who were trying to frustrate government effort to deliver development.

“We can only conclude that probably, there are some people in those areas who are trying to frustrate government efforts” Hikaumba said.

He said in the recent past, the cry was the lack of adequate resources hence, with the increased CDF; projects should be executed without fail.

Hikaumba noted that government would, therefore, have no choice but to continue issuing directives to constituencies on specific projects to be undertaken if the trend of underperformance continues.

Read More:Politicians must be prevented from high-jacking CDF projects for their selfish ends —Jesuit Centre

“The MDC expects that challenges such as lack of desks, insufficient infrastructure and poor feeder roads will be addressed using the CDF in order for people to appreciate the impact of the huge allocations, he said.

Hikaumba also called on residents in constituencies to demand from their representatives why CDF resources are not utilized in their areas.

“That is the only way government will be justifiable to increase these funds when we see projects being done. If it is seen that nothing is being done in the utilization of CDF, people in those areas should demand from their representatives why the funds are not utilized. Government directives on use of CDF come as a last resort when they see that nothing is being done” he said.

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