Civil society organisations (CSOs) in Nsanje have embarked on a three-month project to track how the council used Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in implementing development projects.
On Friday, Nsanje CSO Network summoned Malemia and Ngabu area development committees in Nsanje South West Constituency to take stock of projects implemented on the ground.
transparency. l Martin Gela Jnr
In his remarks, the network’s vice-chairperson Jonas January said they wanted to enhance transparency and accountability in the implementation of public projects.
He said: “This is the only way we can enhance transparency and accountability in five constituencies, namely, South, South West, Central, Lalanje and North.
“As we are tracking public expenditure from the CDF basket, we can as well appreciate other development projects running with funding from District Development Fund and the Governance to Enable Service Delivery [Gesd].”
January said they engaged area development committees because they initiate and follow up projects.
“We want development structures to also enforce quality of projects because once completed, they are the ones who will benefit alongside their communities and not members of Parliament [MPs] or contractors,” he said.
On her part, Ngabu Area Development Committee secretary Mercy Dansa commended the initiative, although she pointed out that it looked like it was targeting members of Parliament.
In his remarks, Malemia Area Development Committee chairperson Mathias Chilumba said the project was important as it will promote transparency and accountability in utilising CDF.
He said: “This initiative will expose projects that appear on paper as if they are completed when they are not.
“We are pleased that apart from the CSOs, we will monitor the projects together. on the ground.”
The network is implementing the initiative up to June this year with K14.7 million collected from its members.
