Voice of Livingstonia (VoL) Radio Station has embarked on a project to hold officials accountable on stalled projects under Local Development Fund (LDF) and Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in Mzimba North.
The radio station has observed that four teachers’ houses at Madise, Engucwini and Edundu remain uncompleted for years despite government releasing funds for the projects.
VoL project officer Franklyn Mumba told the M’mbelwa District Executive Committee (DEC) that the station has sourced K16 million from Tilitonse Fund to increase accountability and transparency in management of education projects under LDF and CDF in Kasito Ward.
He said lack of information by the citizenry on how CDF and LDF are used is the major problem that has contributed to failure by authorities to complete construction of the said houses.
“With support from National Democratic Institute [NDI], VoL carried out interventions on public expenditure tracking in Kasito West Ward.
“It was noted that most people, including local leaders, do not know the roles of area development committees, village development committees, councillors and members of Parliament in administering CDF and LDF,” he said.
M’mbelwa District Council director of public works Cleverson Nyando said the school management committees were given enough funds for the projects, but failed to complete the structures although all materials were purchased.
The council’s internal auditor, Michael Mwachilare, said most projects have stalled in the district because locals do not take ownership by contributing resources to the projects.
