Councilor, local leaders grilled on LDF projects

People of group village heads (GVHs) Mlangali and Chikwawe under Traditional Authority (T/A) Chakhaza in Dowa on Saturday grilled their councilor and local leaders accusing them of corruption and negligence leading to underdevelopment of the area.

This happened during an interface meeting held at Nawuchi Primary School in the area between local leaders and their subjects which was facilitated by Development Communications Trust (DCT) implementing a public expenditure tracking (PET) project in the district in partnership with OXFAM. 

Chiefs were accused of practicing nepotism during registration of beneficiaries for safety net projects under the local development fund (LDF) among other projects.

“Registration is done behind closed doors, sometimes even at night when only those in authority and their relatives are present,” pointed out Isaac Simon from GVH Mlangali.

As per requirement, registration for community projects including those under LDF is supposed to be done on an open ground where the criteria for choosing beneficiaries is explained to everyone present before registration commences.

“The process is supposed to be a transparent one, where all are present and participate in choosing the right beneficiaries falling within the specified guidelines which are made known to everyone present at the venue of registration, explained Zione Mayaya, project officer for DCT.

She added that the process ensures only those being targeted are registered as those fitting the criteria are ceremoniously affirmed by the majority present and those not eligible are openly rejected.

The meeting got a twist when chiefs led by GVH Mlangali and their subjects jointly accused their ward councilor Jeremoti Nthope Jumbe of not doing his oversight role well thereby letting most projects in the area remain unfinished despite contractors being paid their dues.

Some of the works cited include road maintenance on Chimbayo to Kabwinja road, Mpotero to Chizolowonda and many others.

“Works on roads and bridges under LDF are usually left unfinished in the area despite people who were working on the roads being paid,” alleged Zakeyo Chirwa from Mayola village.

Mayeso Makina from Chikwawe village wanted the councilor to explain why tools meant for approved public works are not delivered to project sites. This is against a background that in the 2016/2017 LDF budget, the district was allocated K40 million to be shared among 14 wards for tools to be used by people working for projects approved by the council but people in the area allege to have been using own tools.

However, in his response Jumbe kept on pushing the blame to other players including district council officials saying those people are part of the budgetary process and would be able to answer on the tools allocation saying he had no clue as to how much his ward was allocated.

He said: “The issue of tools for projects is coming from [council] secretariat; it is not the problem of the councilor. “

“I have done a lot of work but sometimes I am overshadowed by some political figures who claim ownership of those projects. I can push for the tools but it needs concerted efforts from all councilors,” he added.

He however contradicted himself when he disclosed ever signing for tools meant for some projects which the chiefs and their subjects claimed did not even get to the intended projects.

Jumbe then turned on the people in his ward accusing them of frustrating development efforts by not putting a heart into the works they are given to do. He said this in response to projects they claimed to have been left uncompleted despite workers being paid their monies sparking the anger of GVH Mlangali who accused him of playing hide and seek over the issues.

After the meeting, Mayaya disclosed that Dowa district council members of staff, including the director of planning and development (DPD) will on Wednesday this week have their turn to go to the community and respond to concerns raised.

Dowa DPD Emmanuel Burukutu confirmed in a telephone interview to have received an invitation from the 2 village heads through DCT.

“We have gotten the invitation, and I can confirm we are going there this Wednesday,” he said.

DCT and OXFAM are implementing this project in Phalombe, Dowa and Karonga districts.