By Burnett Munthali
Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has warned local councils that they could lose unspent allocations from the reformed K5 billion Constituency Development Fund (CDF) if they fail to fully utilise the resources before the end of the financial year.
The warning comes as the government seeks to strengthen accountability and improve the implementation of development projects financed through the constituency-based funding programme.
Principal Secretary for Local Government and Rural Development, Moses Chimphepo, said access to the CDF would be linked to performance, with councils expected to demonstrate tangible results after receiving the funds.
Chimphepo said local authorities must ensure that resources are effectively absorbed and translated into projects that benefit communities.
The ministry’s position signals a tougher approach to the management of constituency development resources, with councils now under pressure to ensure that public funds allocated for local development do not remain unused.
Under the reformed funding framework, the performance of councils will play a key role in determining accountability for the use of the K5 billion Constituency Development Fund.
