Chief accused of corruption in Fisp registration
Some people of group village headman (GVH) Phimbi in Balaka have accused their GVH of corrupt practices in the registration process of this year’s Farm Input Subsidy Programme (Fisp) currently underway.
Speaking to The Nation, one of the concerned people said about 40 villagers from the area are currently seeking the district commissioner’s (DC) intervention in the matter after noting that their names were deleted from the list of beneficiaries and replaced by those of the chief’s relatives.
“A credible registration process is where only the poorest are targeted regardless of their blood or clan affiliations. But the case is different in our area as the chief has the tendency of being corrupt during times of Fisp registration,” complained the person who did not want to be named.
When contacted on the matter, Balaka DC Lusizi Nhlane said they will institute an investigation into the allegations with the help of the police and the chairperson of the district council as well as the area development committees.
“The programme is aimed at helping out the poorest. It is unfortunate if the chief is taking advantage of his people’s ignorance on issues surrounding Fisp,” Nhlane said.
Efforts to speak to Phimbi proved futile as it was learnt that he does not own a mobile phone.
Recently, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, Allan Chiyembekeza, warned all officials involved in implementation of Fisp to desist from corrupt practices, saying the programme should be a success this year.
