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Dowa MPs, councillors clash over development budget use

Members   of Parliament (MPs) and ward councillors in Dowa on Thursday failed to agree on how they should use the K208 million ($416 000) development budget approved and allocated to the district council by Parliament.

The funds were provided to implement water projects under priority projects.

Kalilani:Water is a priority in Dowa
Kalilani:Water is a priority in Dowa

But the council’s development committee proposed that the funds be used for other development projects because water projects in the district had already been allocated K1.7 billion ($3.4 million) by non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

The development committee suggested that the money be used for the renovation of the district council rest house, construction of two council staff houses and the brick wall perimeter fence at Dowa Community Centre ground to boost revenue collections.

This proposal did not go down well with the MPs who accused the development committee of sidelining them in decision-making, saying the two parties are partners in development, hence the need to work together.

The MPs said the committee is mandated to make recommendations to the full council meetings for final resolution and not to make decisions on behalf of the council.

Dowa Central MP Jean Kalilani, who is also Minister of Health, said water is a priority in the district and proposed that at least 10 boreholes be drilled per constituency in the district with the remaining money invested in capital development.

Kalilani’s proposal was echoed by all the MPs while the councillors and other council members such as the special interest group representatives held a different view.

Dowa district commissioner Fannie Msimuko, council chair Martin Phiri and the council’s director of planning and development,  EmmanuelBulukutu, expressed concern over the council members’ failure to deliberate on priority projects in the spirit of tolerance.

Meanwhile, the council development committee met in preparation for an extraordinary council meeting to be held today so that the submission of projects be made to Capital Hill by close of business.Malawi News Agency

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