(NYASATIMES) Constituencies need more capacity building than money—Kandodo

Constituencies need more capacity building than money—Kandodo
By Nyasa Times
Published: July 20, 2009

Finance Minister Ken Kandodo has told parliamentarians that the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) will remain at K2 million and not be reverted to K3 million as many members wish saying the constituencies need more capacity building than money.

Kandodo was speaking in parliament when most members contributing to the 2009/10 fiscal budget expressed dismay with the reduction of the fund from K3 million to K2 million.

The Minister of Finance announced in the budget statement that, the reduction of CDF is due to mismanagement of the fund by previous parliamentarians.

He told the House that the CDF will remain at K2 million and that government is committed to develop constituencies through other means

Kandodo said government is talking to the World Bank to have a loan of K3 billion which would help in development of constituencies.

He also said the K2 billion Youth Development Fund which was announced by government will work in a long way of mitigating economic pangs of constituents.

But Budget and Finance Committee chairperson, Ralph Jooma assured government that his committee would assist in setting up necessary control measures in the implementation of the CDF.

Jooma said the control to check any possible move to abusing of the fund would ensure the smooth implementation of the fund than reducing it.

“Upon successful completion of that exercise, we urge the Minister of Finance to consider an increase in the fund,” he said.

Despite concerns on the reduction in CDF, Jooma thanked government for targeting the rural poor in resources allocation as seen in the increased allocation to the district assemblies which he said is a welcome development.