The Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have called on government to decentralise management of funds, arguing entrusting Capital Hill is risky.
Speaking in an interview with The Nation yesterday, Council for Non-Governmental Organisations (Congoma) chairperson Voice Mhone said decentralisation of funds management is one of the recommendations the CSOs have made to curb looting at Capital Hill.
The CSOs want the money to be managed by district councils to reduce issues of looting; arguing councils will be easily monitored.
Mhone said in cases where looting has taken place, the impact would be minimal as it would affect a district and not the entire country as is the case with Capital Hill management.
“We know decentralisation has been there, but it is a mere talk, it now has to centre on financial management. If the Treasury can be remitting the money to district councils and the district commissioners be given more power to control the money, risks of looting would be minimised,” said Mhone.
Ministry of Finance spokesperson Nations Msowoya said the ministry is guided by the laws of the country on financial management and if the CSOs call is to apply, the laws have to be changed.
“I have not seen the official demand, but is not for government to say whether the demand is viable or not,” said Msowoya.
