Lilongwe NGO establishes accountability clubs
International Group Association (IGA), a local non-governmental-organisation (NGO), has spearheaded the formulation of accountability clubs for eight wards in Lilongwe North West, Lilongwe North and Lilongwe City North constituencies.
The accountability clubs, which comprise members of development committees at traditional authority level, and will have a two-year term of office, have been formed as part of IGA’s mandate to empower rural communities.
Speaking after orienting the new clubs at the weekend, IGA Malawi executive director James Moyo said the clubs will play an oversight function by holding duty-bearers accountable for public finances.
He said the clubs will specifically oversee functions of the Local Development Fund (LDF), the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and other district and government budgeted funds.
He said the clubs will also closely monitor implementation of District Development Plans, Village Action Plans, including work done by members of Parliament (MPs), councillors, public officials, and traditional leaders, among others.
“Councillors and chiefs are there to facilitate development initiatives and that is why we have established these clubs to ensure that people participate actively in development activities in ther areas,” said Moyo.
He, however, observed that in Kabudula and Kasiya in Lilongwe Rural, a lot of people are not aware of how development initiatives are supposed to be monitored, adding that it will be the duty of the accountability clubs to civic educate citizens on their role.
The project is being implemented with funding from the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and UKaid. n
