Project identifies flaws in local development
The Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (Csat) says overstretching of local funds and lack of project continuity are key factors frustrating development flow in local communities.
In its report titled ‘Strengthening governance accountability through citizen oversight’ to sum up a project implemented in Dowa, Machinga and Mangochi between June 2022 and June 2024, Csat noted that funding such as the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) was spread over a range of projects leading to substandard infrastructure.
Reads the report presented during the stakeholders’ accountability engagement meeting in Lilongwe on Friday: “For example, some MPs [members of Parliament] are said to be constructing low-cost bridges made of timber and poles to increase the number of development projects.
“However, local leaders argued that most of the low-cost bridges were not standard thus had short lifespan and were prone to natural disasters like floods.”
On continuity of projects the report, presented by Csat citizen engagement manager Moffat Mpweya-Phiri, noted “strong evidence indicating that most development projects in Machinga and Dowa lack continuation plans”.
Reads the report: “A majority of stakeholders lamented that politicians are always reluctant to complete or renovate projects that were initiated or started by their predecessors.”
Funded by the National Endowment for Democracy, the project sought to create vigilant communities with an amplified voice that holds duty-bearers accountable to enhance improved public service delivery in local councils.
The report said that the project has “improved knowledge in project appraisal, monitoring, procurement process, reporting mechanisms and oversight role in local development”.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture deputy director of policy and planning Sylvester Gawamadzi said they will use the outcomes to improve project implementation in councils.
Several studies have identified gaps in local councils bordering on fraud and accountability of funds which have progressively increased over the years due to decentralisation. The gaps have been noted in areas of human resource capacity and resource management.
