By Pemphero Malimba:
Parliament Thursday passed the Constitution Amendment Bill, which, among other things, establishes the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in the Constitution, defines its purpose and outlines how it will be governed, managed and used.
If assented to, the bill will allow MPs to exercise an oversight role in the implementation of the fund.
At least 199 MPs who attended the deliberations voted in favour of the bill, none voted against it and 25 MPs were absent.
Earlier during the deliberations, it was reported that about 30 MPs were not present in the House.
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The Speaker of Parliament, Sameer Suleman, directed that the number of MPs in the House be ascertained.
After the process was completed, Suleman confirmed that the number of MPs present reached two thirds of the total membership.
The MPs then proceeded to vote on the bill.
Speaking in Parliament, Mzimba South MP Emmanuel Jere Chambulanyina, who introduced the bill, said that its passing reflected the wishes of his constituents.
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Chambulanyina also said that he plans to introduce an actual CDF bill in the next meeting of Parliament.
The Minister of Justice, Charles Mhango, congratulated the MPs on the passing of the bill.
Mhango said his ministry will expedite the operationalisation of the bill once it has been assented to by President Peter Mutharika.
He added that the government is expected to develop procedures on how the CDF will be used.
“The management and control of CDF will be regulated by an Act of Parliament and that Act leaves it to the Ministry of Justice and the government to provide rules, processes and procedures for managing the fund.
“The Public Finance Management Act will guide who is responsible for oversight, duties and approvals,” Mhango said.
He confirmed that MPs will retain their oversight role in the management of the fund.
All along, MPs were managing CDF before a court judgement nullified their role and ruled that they should stay away from the fund for the sake of accountability and separation of powers
