K10m rescued from LDF ghost beneficiaries

Mangochi District Council says it has saved K10 million from the previous Malawi Social Action Fund (Masaf) 4 circle following strict measures put in place to flush out ineligible beneficiaries.

Mangochi district commissioner (DC) the Reverend Moses Chimphepo said this on Friday during a full council meeting where he presented a list of projects for the September circle for the council to approve.

He applauded the council members for the achievement, saying the Local Development Fund (LDF) office was also impressed with the council’s prudence in the previous circle and that he expected another successful circle when it rolls out on September 1.

Said the DC: “I would like to announce here that we saved K10 million that could have gone to ghost beneficiaries if we had not put up strict measures during the last circle.

“But, then, even the saving is not necessary because what it means is that people who deserved to benefit from that K10 million suffered. We should strive to include every eligible beneficiary.”

Among other strategies, the council used on-ground verification of beneficiaries registered using identity cards (IDs), inspection of the work carried out and on-ground verification of beneficiaries during payment of cash, again using IDs, according to the DC.

He further said each catchment area had a team leader and that reconciliation reports were done right at the field immediately after payment of cash was done to the beneficiaries.

LDF Mangochi project officer Phillip Chidawati agreed with Chimphepo, saying the district’s strategies in the previous circle of Masaf 4 were efficient and that the system was likely to be adopted as a model to be used in other districts for similar results.

He commended Mangochi District Council councillors for a job well done, appealing to them to demonstrate similar solidarity in the next circle of Masaf 4 rolling out in September.

The list includes a total proposed allocation of K291 758 400 for wages, K18 234 900 for administration and K54 704 700 for tools.