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Development budget splits Mangochi District Council

Traditional leaders, members of Parliament and ward councillors in Mangochi have failed to agree on the distribution of K291 million allocated for the district’s development budget.

The divisions became apparent during an extra ordinary meeting recently when Mangochi District Council director of planning and development Walter Chikuni announced that the council had received K291 million towards its development budget.

Patel: Be prudent in use of funds
Patel: Be prudent in use of funds

However, several members challenged the allocations, arguing that the funds were meant to be shared equally among constituencies and wards.

Chikuni tried in vain to explain that  the funds were supposed to be utilised based on the district development plan priorities, besides addressing key areas in the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy.

“The budget is supposed to cater for activities which promotion of food security through increased land allocation for irrigation, promote fish farming and construction of classroom blocks and teachers’ houses.”

However, he later succumbed to the demands of the council to have chiefs, MPs and councillors divide the amount per constituency with each being allocated K24 million.

In her contribution, member of Parliament (MP) for Mangochi South Lillian Patel urged caution on the disbursement of the funds considering that each constituency would be assessed on how it has utilised the resources.

Said Patel: “On this basis, it is important for us to be very prudent and adhere to principles of transparency and accountability to ensure we continue to benefit from the resources.”

In an interview later, Mangochi District Council chairperson Yusuf Kusweje called on both the secretariat and members of the council to unite for development to flourish in the district.n

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