Members of Parliament (MPs) have described the increase in the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) from K220 million to K5 billion as a game-changer in promoting development at constituency level.
In her contribution to President Peter Mutharika’s State Opening Address, Mzimba North East MP Catherine Gotani Hara (Malawi Congress Party-MCP) said in Parliament yesterday that the increased CDF allocation will enhance development in all parts of the country.
She said the money will help ensure that people have access to potable water, health facilities, schools and other services.
However, the legislator called for prudent utilisation of the money to enhance production and boost the country’s economy.
Said Hara: “My hope is that we will be allowed to use the fund for production as well because most of the government funds are used for consumption.”
Weighing in, Ntchisi South MP Peter Gamula (Independent) said with the K5 billion, people of his constituency should expect development in various sectors.
He said the money will help in the construction of health facilities, schools and roads.
“The good thing is that we will not have to approach ministries asking for projects. We now have a fund that we can tap resources from to do projects in the constituencies,” said Gamula.
Lumbadzi MP Dennis Kalekeni (MCP) said public infrastructure in his constituency is in poor state and he is banking on CDF to rehabilitate schools, roads, health facilities and other infrastructure.
“My prayer is that the K5 billion CDF increase needs to be implemented. We need to work on the roads in the constituency. They are in very bad state,” he said.
