Zomba full council meeting rejects budget

 Zomba District full council meeting has rejected a K19 billion 2022/23 programme based budget, saying it has some gaps.

The council’s chairperson Michael Khwilipa made the announcement on Saturday when he adjourned the meeting, saying the finance service committee and the secretariat will meet during the week to rework on the proposed changes.

In his presentation, the council’s chief economist Chris Nawata stated that the budget focused on medium-term projects in the District Development Plan and Village Level Action Plans.

He said the budget, which comprised the council’s 19 sectors, was prepared in accordance with the National Local Government Finance Committee guidelines.

“However, some elements haven’t been included such as the revised Constituency Development Fund [CDF] announced in Parliament last week,” said Nawata.

Zomba Lisanjala legislator William Susuwele Banda admitted the full council refused to approve the budget, saying the “other elements” that were omitted as well as the revised CDF increments expenditure need to reflect in the budget.

“The budget has many shortfalls, as such, it has been referred back to be adjusted,” he said.

The meeting was attended by legislators from the district’s nine constituencies, chiefs, councillors and other interested groups.

It has since been adjourned to Saturday February 26 for the adjusted budget presentation.