Council members cornered on refunds
Nkhotakota District Council members were last Thursday surprised to learn that the council secretariat was yet to refund money to applicants of plots at an abandoned aerodrome.
The last meeting resolved that the process of identifying the beneficiaries of the plots was not transparent and the process should recommence, the council resolved four months ago that the secretariat should refund the money it collected from applicants.
However, council chairperson Samson Kaziputa and director of finance John Ndalama told the members that the applicants were yet to be refunded because the council used some funds for its operations.
Ndalama said after the council decision on the funds, he started implementing the resolution but he did not receive support from some members.
He said: “There was resistance from some people to continue implementing the resolution such that due to mounting pressure I could not continue on my own. Some funds have been used in operations like council meetings.
“As a way forward, I suggest that every person who benefited from the funds should return the money.”
The council members however, said they never authorised the use of the funds and therefore, they should be sourced and given back to the plot applicants.
Kaziputa said after the council meeting that the account balance stood at K1.6 million (about $2430) and there was a shortfall of over K9 million (about $13669) which they will borrow from banks to fulfill the resolution. n
