Minister,MP under fire at council meeting
Dowa Central member of Parliament (MP) Jean Kalilani (Democratic Progressive Party-DPP) and Dowa Ngala legislator Elias Chakwera (Malawi Congress Party-MCP) on Friday came under fire for bypassing established structures when implementing development projects.
Kalilani, who is also Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare and Chakwera were also booed for allegedly demanding excessive honour and respect while failing to respond to the developmental needs of their constituents.
The incident happened at a full council meeting Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of Lilongwe Archdiocese organised with funding from Tilitonse Fund through Dan Church Aid.
The meeting attracted civil society organisations (CSO) leaders, area development committees (ADCs), councillors and chiefs, among others.
It all started when Kayembe ADC chairperson Lyson Madetsa demanded an explanation from the MPs on why they use party structures when implementing development projects using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and Local Development Fund (LDF).
He said: “We, therefore, ask you, our MPs, to give us an account of how this fund is being utilised. Where does this money end because certainly it is not on the ground?”
But Kalilani challenged that she has every right to use party structures or anyone she may decide to choose to work with when implementing such projects.
“I don’t handle CDF money,” she responded.
On the other hand, Chakwera hit back at CSO leaders, accusing them of sidelining MPs and councillors in their activities. n
