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Govt faults city council for K600m roads funding cut

 

The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning has blamed Mzuzu City Council for the cut in funding towards construction of feeder-tarmac roads in the city.

The Treasury accused the council of being too slow on the projects.

In the 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 financial years, the council was allocated K2.9 billion for the roads, but only received K2.312 billion.

A report by the council shows that progress has been hampered by a number of factors, including low funding.

Kutengule: The council was too slow

The council had to reduce the number of roads earmarked for the ongoing upgrade due to funding problems.

But Treasury spokesperson Alfred Kutengule said:  “The council did not fully use by the end of the financial year due to slowness of the council to source the contractor and also for the contractor to mobilise and commence work.

“We release funds based on certificate of completion of some works, which could not be produced for reasons stated above.  After the end of the financial year, according to the Public Finance Management Act, all unspent resources lapse.”

He said government would continue maintaining and upgrading city roads.

MCC spokesperson Karen Msiska said the council will use existing funds and do everything possible to finish the roads they have embarked on. n

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