Accountants call for strengthening of internal controls in CDF implementation

The government is under pressure to ramp up the enforcement of internal controls in the execution of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects nationwide.

Yande Mwenye, president of the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA), stated the critical need for accountability and transparency in the utilisation of allocated resources at all levels.

Mwenye’s statement issued in Lusaka on Thursday comes in response to reports of alleged CDF abuse in Kalabo District, Western Province.

She commended Finance and National Planning Minister, Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane, for initiating an internal audit of all constituencies in light of the Kalabo revelations.

“The increase in CDF allocation necessitated accountability and transparency in disbursements to uphold public confidence,” Mwenye said.

She said the funds’ intended purpose was to benefit local communities nationwide.

“We reiterate the imperative for prudent utilisation of these funds across all constituencies,” she said.

Mwenye underlined the importance of transparency and accountability throughout the CDF application, approval and disbursement processes.

While acknowledging the crucial role of qualified accountants and auditors regulated by ZICA, Mwenye noted concerns about their placement at non-strategic levels within local authorities, hindering their ability to provide effective oversight.

“This issue serves as a major demotivation for qualified accountants seeking employment in local authorities,” Mwenye said.

She expressed hope for urgent action by the Local Government Commission to address these challenges.

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