Ntcheu council accused of lacking accountability

Ntcheu members of Parliament (MPs) and councillors have accused their council secretariat of lacking financial transparency and accountability.

Speaking when National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust engaged MPs and councillors from Ntcheu on good governance and accountability, both MPs and councillors demanded an emergency meeting while denouncing the secretariat as being secretive on financal management.

Ntcheu Bwanje-North MP Francis Mkungula (independent) said there are issues the secretariat has to do in consultation with the MPs and councillors which do not happen.

Ntcheu District Council Finance Committee chairperson Sharra Kamwamba Jere said handling of finances should be transparent.

Ntcheu district commissioner Paul Kalilombe admitted in a telephone interview that sharing of information on expenditure reports has been a problem.

“We have not reached an ideal situation where expenditure reports are shared to all stakeholders because some people do not want to perform their duties properly,” he said.

Nice Ntcheu district civic education officer Alinane Chikakuda said the workshop sought to promote duty-bearer’s accountability and good governance. n