Committees connive with MPs in CDF abuse—survey
Local governance and development structures in traditional authorities (T/As) Chiwere, Mkukula, Mponela and Msakambewa in Dowa are conniving with members of Parliament (MPs) to abuse Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
A baseline survey conducted by Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of the Archdiocese of Lilongwe between mid last year and early this year revealed that village development committees (VDCs) and area development committees (ADCs) have been conniving with MPs to use CDF on unintended purposes such as buying coffins and paying school fees for students. who are not needy.
“Our study revealed that the leadership of ADCs and VDCs took part in diverting resources meant for various development projects. The malpractice has cost constituencies a lot in terms of development,” said Benson Nakutuwa who is the Citizen Action in Local Government Accountability Project chairperson.
Chiwere ADC chairperson Donnex Mkowo admitted such anomalies and attributed the problem to lack of knowledge on the purpose of the fund.
“We need information on the functions of the fund. We have been operating ignorantly,” he said.
Irish Aid is funding the project through Danish Church Aid.
The project seeks to increase citizen participation in development projects at local level.
