By Mercy Matonga:
The issue of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) management resurfaced yesterday, when the Malawi Local Government Association (Malga) maintained that it is against the CDF Bill that lawmakers passed during the recent meeting of Parliament. President Peter Mutharika is yet to assent to the bill. This transpired during the Local Government Authorities Extra- Ordinary Meeting in Lilongwe City, where council officials are validating Malga’s strategic plan.
Local Government and Rural Development Minister Ben Phiri said issues surrounding CDF were not hard to resolve as there are already existing guidelines governing the management of the funds.
Phiri, who opened the meeting, said the Local Government Act clearly outlines how CDF funds should be managed, adding that there should be no conflict over the handling of the funds.
“The district commissioners and chief executive officers will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the reformed Constituency Development Fund. In this process, councils play a key role in oversight during the implementation of projects,” Phiri said.
- Advertisement -
He further said he, as minister, did not take sides on issues surrounding CDF, as his role was to represent all parties involved.
“The issue was presented in Parliament, Cabinet has not yet met on it and the President has not yet assented to it; so, there is still a long way to go,” he said.
However, Malga Executive Director Hadrod Mkandawire said councils’ position on CDF remained unchanged, maintaining their opposition to the bill that was introduced to Parliament.
“We have heard what the minister has said but we, as Malga, still stand against the bill that was introduced. For now, we will wait to see the next course of action,” Mkandawire said.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
On the issue of Malga’s strategic plan, Phiri said it was a vital tool for any institution that is seeking progress.
“A strategic plan acts as a roadmap, defining long-term goals, prioritising actions and aligning resources towards a common vision, which drives growth, boosts efficiency and manages risks,” Phiri said.
On his part, Mkandawire said the association would continue to encourage council staff to work diligently to ensure smooth operations.
He said the association provides policy research, generates evidence, conducts advocacy and represents councils, functions he said the Central Government could not perform under the doctrine of collective Cabinet responsibility. The Extra-Ordinary General Assembly has been convened under Article 11(4) of the association’s statutes, under the theme ‘Rejuvenating The Status of Decentralisation and Local Development in Malawi: Looking to The Future with Renewed Hope’.
