Communities urged to monitor projects
The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of Karonga Diocese has urged community members and traditional leaders from Senior Chief Mwakaboko in Karonga District to monitor projects in their area.
Speaking on Tuesday after touring mining sites and tax-funded projects in Senior Chief Wasambo, CCJP Fighting Inequalities Project officer Obert Mkandawire said it was important for people to monitor projects and demand better services from duty-bearers.
He commended Wasambo Development Committee for ensuring that people benefit from mining activities and access healthcare services and quality education.
Said Mkandawire: “We conducted the visit after noting that Wasambo Public Expenditure Tracking and Wasambo Mining Committee are doing well in tracking tax-funded projects.
“They have established a good working relationship with miners to ensure that they create a conducive environment for workers and embark on corporate social responsibility.”
Wasambo Mining Committee chairperson Kamtenthenga said they were happy that CCJP recognised their efforts in monitoring projects.
“We provide oversight on projects allocated to our area to ensure that development committee leaders engage people on the same,” he said.
Kamtenthenga said people have the right to know the source of funds for projects, the amount involved and their duration.
He said as taxpayers and voters, they ensure that they get a share of government resources.
“We devised a contact and dialogue approach with mining investors to ensure they implement projects in the area,” he said.
Group village head Mwandambo from Senior Chief Mwakaboko, who was leader of delegation, expressed satisfaction with how their counterparts are monitoring projects.
“The exchange visit has opened our eyes. We have learned how our friends formed vibrant committees that provide governance oversight to duty-bearers,” he said.
CCJP is implementing Fighting Inequalities Project with funding from the Norwegian Church Aid and DanChurch Aid in T/As Wasambo and Mwakaboko in the district.
