Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (Csat) has urged youths in Mzimba District to track public projects in their communities.
Csat programmes coordinator for youth, media and parliamentary engagement programme Albert Lulaka said this on Thursday during a social accountability training targeting youths in Mzimba Luwerezi Constituency.
He said that it was important for young people to understand and benefit from the Reformed K5 billion Constituency Development Fund, which includes the youth economic empowerment fund, bursaries and sports component.
Said Lulaka: “The youth must understand these opportunities and also make sure the resources are used well. Monitoring is key if we are to see real impact.
“Development only delivers when citizens start asking questions. Value for money does not happen on its own. It begins when communities follow projects from planning to completion.”
Mzimba district youth officer Yamikani Nyalugwe described the training as timely.
He said it was essential to equip the youth with skills to engage duty-bearers respectfully and demand accountability on projects funded with public money.
Mabilabo North Ward councillor Evans Ndhlovu pledged to work closely with the youth to promote transparency.
“Let us make sure CDF projects are open and that youths, students and other vulnerable groups benefit from the fund,” he said.
Mabilabo Youth Network chairperson Joseph Wanda said they now understand their role in tracking development projects responsibly and in a violence-free manner.
Csat is implementing an accountability project in the district with funding from the German Federal Foreign Office
