Complete projects in time, committee urges

National Local Government Finance Committee has called on district councils in the Northern Region to ensure that they finish projects within the agreed timeframe.

The committees’ senior planning officer Charity Kaunda made the appeal on Saturday in Nkhata Bay after a delegation from the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs toured some projects supported by the World Bank under the Governance to Enable Service Delivery and District Development Fund.

The delegation, among others, toured Chintheche and Mpamba market sheds, which are now operational and the council’s lodge and chamber which are under rehabilitation.

Kaunda said projects are implemented to answer some of the short and long-term needs of the people, as such there is need for councils to meet desired projects’ timeframe to avoid cost overruns.

She said: “The visit was aimed at encouraging the council to fast-track implementation of projects on time not only as a requirement for the council to access World Bank grants and other funding windows but to ensure that communities start using development facilities on time.”

In his remarks, Nkhata Bay District Council director of planning and development Edgar Chihana said the tour was crucial as it was a platform through which the council and committee members could share knowledge to improve project management.