CSOs fight K4 billion implementation system

Civil cociety organisations (CSOs) in Zomba have expressed dissatisfaction with the newly introduced community managed social-economic projects fund (CSF) system of implementing district funding from the controversial K4 billion.

Speaking during a meeting organised by Zomba District Council to explain the guidelines of the funding for the district, the CSOs said the system sparks more controversies and they are worried that the issues they raised in the April 27 petition have not been addressed.

Action Hope Malawi (AHM) executive director Sammy Aaron said they are surprised with the CFS system.

“The project guidelines have loopholes that may hinder decentralisation; particularly that it gives members of Parliament [MPs] more power to execute the projects. We already have challenges with the Constituency Development Fund [CDF] and now this fund wants to propel the same,” he said.

However, Zomba Malosa MP Roy Kachale Banda defended the arrangement.

He said: “The arrangement can’t jeopardise the initiative process because there are many players in the execution of the projects and they include area development committees (ADC).

“It is a question of fairness in the process of project implementation that is paramount to achieve the ultimate goals of the fund.”

Kachale Banmda, however, appealed to those in control to ensure the initiative is not politicised.

One of the ADC chairs, Anderson Masese asked the council to provide necessary trainings on the CFS system.

Zomba District Council director of projects and development Walter Chikuni said the system is effective and transparent that the MPs will not abuse the initiative.

The district has received K183 million from the K4 billion and the project is expected to run for 10 months.