Fr Daka ties CDF abuse to political interference
By Christopher Miti in Chipata and Fredrick Mwansa in Itezhi-te
Tue 03 Apr. 2012, 12:57 CAT
CARITAS Chipata director Fr Vincent Daka says some of the adverse effects on the utilisation of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) arise from political interference.
During the presentation of the Caritas-Zambia CDF study report findings in Chipata on Saturday, Fr Daka stated that the report also cited poor management of the fund, imposition of projects and low community participation as some of the adverse effects on the utilisation of the fund.
He said the report highlighted some of the causes that have impeded the objectives of the fund from being realised.
"The (CDF) seeks to improve locally-based development with the aim of reducing poverty. Where guidelines have been kept and proper follow-ups have been conducted, the realised projects have not only been a pride but a real change of life for our people. Figures of CDF have been rising over years but the actual government vision on this programme is far from sight," he said.
Fr Daka said Caritas would like to see elected leaders more as patrons rather than active implementers of CDF.
Caritas Chipata governance unit programmes officer John Mthaziko Zulu, who gave an overview of the report revealed that wrong people were sometimes appointed to run CDF.
Zulu said members of parliament and councillors have partisan interests and have more influencing authority on the CDF utilisation, especially in projects' selection and sitting.
He said the allocation of CDF projects tends to be biased towards wards where the elected constituent representatives were more popular.
Zulu said some amounts purported to have been spent on projects were rarely equivalent to the quality of work.
According to the report, 44 CDF corruption-related cases were reported to the ACC from various constituencies in the period 2006 to 2010.
Eastern Province permanent secretary Hlobotha Nkunika said the government of Zambia was an open one which allowed the participation of stakeholders in the governance of the country to enhance transparency and accountability in the management of the resources.
He said he was happy to see civil society organisations like Caritas taking such a move which would assist the government to clearly know what was happening on the ground insofar as the CDF was concerned.
Nkunika was, however, concerned with the non-representation of Chipata Municipal Council at the meeting.
Labels: CARITAS, CDF, CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT FUND
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CDF for MPs in its current form must be abolished
Saturday, 24 March 2012 20:42
Joyce Tangadzani Shumba
The Constituency Development Fund (CDF), although a good idea, was always likely to face hurdles given the following factors:
* The CDF was to be implemented by policymakers who, by virtue of their function, should not have been part of the projects.
* There were no clearly defined project activity types with specific objectives. For example, was this CDF to be used to implement income-generating projects or provide some social benefits to the constituency?
* This CDF, in its current form, can be viewed from the point of promoting a dependency syndrome for both the MPs and their constituencies.
My first point relates to the fact that parliamentarians are supposed to be policymakers and not implementers. From what we are reading and hearing, the CDF money was deposited into a bank account controlled by the relevant MP. The fact that MPs are directly accountable for the money meant that they were the persons responsible for disbursement and implementation of the project. Having a committee to assist the MP does not matter, the MP was the accounting officer.
In our parliamentary democracy, the Executive through the President, Prime Minister and Cabinet are the implementers and the executive actions are checked by Parliament.
Now the MPs themselves became responsible and had to account to the Executive, which was opposite to the standard or normal conditions. This was the first error in the implementation of this programme. There are suggestions that implementation should have been done through local authorities who would have to account to the MPs and then to Parliament.
In the case of rural areas, the CDF would have been deposited into the account of the relevant rural district council. The rural district council would perform the administrative tasks, thus sparing the MPs the hassle of keeping all necessary expenditure vouchers.
However, the MP and his/her committee would still have to implement the project but through the RDC.
Thus in all cases, actual expenditure would still have been done and authorised by the MP, which again is implementation. This option again could not absolve the MP from performing the implementation function. We also forget that our current set of local authorities is very weak to say the least and accounting for such funds would not have been easy.
If local authorities like town councils were to fully implement and report to respective MPs, this would be ideal since local councils would be implementers and MPs would remain with their core function to set policies and monitor implementation. However, most local authorities cannot supply basic services, citing a lack of resources, but that is just an excuse. Look at large towns like Harare, Bulawayo, Chitungwiza, they have a constant revenue stream and still they cannot deliver on basic services like sanitation and water. What more if you are to add more activities like MPs’ CDF? Thus our Government has rushed to give this CDF money to the MPs without having a clear and defined plan. There were also no well-defined parameters for MPs to use as a guide. As a result, MPs and their committees decided to spend on anything they thought would be good for their constituencies. For example, if an MP bought a generator to be used by the students at a school in the constituency and such generator was kept at the MP’s house if not in use, could this be defined as good use of the public funds when the same school had no toilet or good ablution blocks? So, there were bound to be grey areas in the use of the CDF and I would be surprised if more than 50 percent of the total budget was actually used for the common good.
MPs were supposed to develop an income-generating project to assist the community or constituency to have sustainable economic activities. For example, in rural districts, a project of fresh water fish farming would be much more meaningful than, say, building a clinic. This should be the work of local authorities.
In towns, a project on urban gardening would surely be the most preferred since it would enhance economic activity in the poor suburbs and assist families to fend for themselves. These are just examples and a lot more income-generating activities could be identified and implemented. The next critical aspect is the promotion of the dependency syndrome which could be brought about through the implementation of the CDF programme.
The fact that the CDF is coming from Government coffers helps to give the impression that its free money for everyone.
The constituency which receives did nothing to earn that money. It is wrong in economic terms to pay money without expecting an economic return. The end result is that, whatever project is done, there will be no incentive to protect and keep it for future generations.
If, for example, a school is built without the community’s contribution, then the chances of future neglect with no maintenance will be high. The idea should not be to just give but to let the MP and the community work or make a monetary contribution to the project to ensure it is sustainable in future.
Surely Government has very thin resources. Why now try to spread this money thinly with little expected output? There are more pressing matters for the country right now than giving MPs some money, most of which will be abused. Roads and power infrastructure are in a poor state; why not put this $10 million-plus into these national projects? If
Government wants to help, then it must disburse the CDF as loans that can be used by the constituency to develop income-generating activities. The income earned from the project will then be put into a CDF revolving fund available to all constituencies and MPs. This approach ensures that our little resources are used to maximum benefit.
* Joyce Tangadzani Shumba can be contacted on email: tangashumba@gmail.com
Labels: CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT FUND, MDC CORRUPTION
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Ministers looted constituency funds: Tsvangirai
26/03/2012 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
PRIME Minister Morgan Tsvangirai has claimed that cabinet ministers also abused constituency development funds and insisted that prosecution of suspected embezzlers would continue despite a moratorium ordered by the attorney general.
Legislators get US$50,000 from treasury every year for development projects in their constituencies but Constitutional Affairs minister Eric Matinenga says some have failed to account for the funds leading to the arrest of four MPs.
Tsvangirai claimed he was aware of cabinet colleagues who also abused the fund adding the Anti-Corruption Commission – which is probing the alleged abuse – would soon arrest them.
“Corruption is corruption and those who stole money (CDFs) will be arrested even if they are government ministers,” said Tsvangirai supporters Glen View North Constituency, according to the weekly Standard newspaper.
But charges have been dropped against three MPs after the intervention of attorney general, Johannes Tomana.
Tomana said an audit of all the country’s 210 constituencies must be completed first leading to a public spat with Matinenga who insisted the arrests would continue.
“They should do a complete job such that at the end of the day no-one should say they were being targeted or isolated. These investigations are born out of an audit and it speaks logic for us to say an audit should be completed first and we can then pick out the culprits at one time,” Tomana said recently.
However, Tsvangirai backed Matinenga saying the arrests would continue.
“No one will stop the Anti-Corruption Commission from arresting corrupt ministers and MPs because as a Government we have adopted a zero tolerance on corruption,” the MDC-T leader said.
The government allocated US$8 million to the CDF last year and Tsvangirai said the facility would be increased going forward.
“There is no going back on CDF,” he said.
“Money allocated to the fund will be increased soon because we want MP’s to invest in community development projects which benefit the ordinary people.”
Labels: CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT FUND, ERIC MATINENGA, MORGAN TSVANGIRAI
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Constituency Fund abusers named
15/02/2012 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
CONSTITUTIONAL and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Eric Matinenga on Wednesday released names of nine legislators, including three ministers, who have each failed to account for US$50,000 paid from a parliamentary fund for constituency development.
Matinenga’s ministry was asked to investigate abuse of the US$8 million fund following public concerns.
Last month, Matinenga presented his findings to President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, but insisted he would not name the lawmakers who had failed to file accounts of how the money was spent.
But at a news conference on Wednesday, Matinenga raised the stakes by threatening to call in the police on the defaulting MPs and Senators.
“I want to say that the majority of Members of Parliament have made returns, maybe more than 95 percent have done so. Unfortunately, we still have 10 MPs who have not made returns,” Matinenga said, although he went on to release only nine names.
The lawmakers who have failed to file accounts, said Matinenga, include Public Services Minister Lucia Matibenga (MDC-T, Kuwadzana North), National Healing Minister Senator Sekai Holland (MDC-T, Mabvuku-Tafara), Deputy Health Minister Douglas Mhombeshora (Zanu PF, Mhangura), Marvellous Khumalo (MDC-T, St Mary’s), Peter Chanetsa (Zanu PF, Hurungwe North), Chindori Chininga (Zanu PF, Guruve South), Naison Nemadziva (Zanu PF, Buhera South) and Abraham Sithole (Zanu PF, Chiredzi East).
The Constitutional Development Fund (CDF) was established by Finance Minister Tendai Biti, with all 210 MPs in the House of Assembly accessing US$50,000 for distribution to deserving projects in their constituences.
Virginia Mabhiza, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs, said the manner in which some lawmakers had used the fund “bordered on fraud”.
Labels: CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT FUND, ERIC MATINENGA, MDC CORRUPTION
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MPs face prosecution for fraud
05/11/2011 00:00:00
by Staff Reporter
AT least 12 legislators are facing possible prosecution for fraud after allegedly misappropriating up to US$50 000 allocated to constituents by the government through the Constituency Development Fund.
Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Eric Matinenga is expected to present a report before parliament, possibly leading to the prosecution of the suspects whose names have been withheld pending the completion of investigations.
An audit by the ministry found that the 12 legislators – drawn from both Zanu PF and the MDC-T – used the funds to issue personal loans while others spent it on undisclosed ‘goodies’.
Acting permanent secretary for the ministry, Virginia Mabiza said preliminary investigations suggested the MPs had embarked on “a self-enrichment spree”.
“Our audit team is still finalising the report. It is, however, clear that several legislators abused the facility,” she told The Sunday Mail.
“It appears the concerned members went on a self-enrichment spree, obviously spending lavishly and spoiling themselves on goodies.”
Mabiza added that after the ministry received returns for 173 out of 210 constituencies at the end of October, it was clear more lawmakers were involved in conduct “bordering on fraud, improper use and dishonesty”.
“While we wait for the affected MPs to respond, our position remains that a crime has been committed and, soon, the law must take its course,” she said.
“Of course, such cases of suspected fraud have come up. However, some members have done well. The projects our teams have seen show that the money was put to good use.”
Another 37 MPs were presently receiving expert assistance after failing to submit returns before the October 21 deadline claiming they were not conversant with the procedures.
"Some of the MPs have said they cannot compile returns on their own. That is the reason why we have availed our team of experts to assist them," Mabiza said.
Finance Minister, Tendai Biti allocated the CDF some US$8 million in his budget last year with each constituency getting US$50000.
The fund is supposed to be administered by committees comprising the local legislator, two councillors and district administrators and used to finance development projects in their respective constituencies.
Labels: CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT FUND, ERIC MATINENGA, MDC CORRUPTION, MPs
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Council officers warned
By NDUBI MVULA
VICE-PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda has warned that Government would not condone misapplication or misappropriation of public funds by councillors and council officers as it retards development. He said this yesterday when he officially opened the 52nd Annual Conference of the Local Government Association of Zambia at the New Fairmount attended by all the country’s councils.
“The New Deal administration of President Levy Mwanawasa will not compromise the need for councils to adhere to the tenets of transparency and accountability in the application of funds," he said.
Mr Banda said he was aware that some councillors and officers had been mentioned in audit reports for having failed to account for public funds particularly the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and grants.
He, however, expressed gratitude that the Minister of Local Government and Housing, Ms Sylvia Masebo, was working tirelessly in ensuring that erring councillors and officers were disciplined.
“Councils must be bold enough to take disciplinary action against erring councillors and officers. There is need for councils to strictly adhere to financial regulations to avoid pitfalls.
“It is contrary to the financial regulations for councillors to handle any council funds including CDF," he said.
The theme of the conference is "Strengthening Local Government for Effective Citizen Participation".
To strengthen the management of the CDF, Mr Banda directed Ms Masebo to streamline the procurement process to ensure that district council tender committees are functional in accordance with procurement guidelines provided by the Zambia National Tender Board.
Mr Banda also said he was aware that the Anti-Corruption Commission has established integrity committees in Lusaka and Ndola city councils to check corrupt practices at places of work.
“I want to call upon the Anti-Corruption Commission to consider facilitating councils in order to strengthen the fight against corruption at the local level,” he said.
He assured delegates that Government was still committed to the implementation of the decentralisation programme.
“Decentralisation is a lengthy and complex process that requires a lot of care in implementation. To avoid pitfalls, Government is taking extra care in the implementation of this very essential programme,” he said.
And Ms Masebo said urged delegates to follow laid down guidelines in receiving of funding adding that councils that do not do so may not receive it.
She said there was need for the local authority to clean their house to enable smooth operations.
On the late release of funding, Ms Masebo said the blame should not be heaped on the Ministry of Finance but on her because she was not impressed with the presentation from councils.
“Most of the delays are because some of the presentations of budget were senseless," she said.
Local Government Association of Zambia president, Charles Mumena said individual local authorities cannot exclusively address the challenges facing local government without the indispensable need for civic engagement.
He said this was because they are convinced that local governance transcends the local authority to include other non-state local stakeholders.
Labels: CHARLES MUMENA, CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT FUND, CORRUPTION, COUNCILS, LOCAL GOVERNMENT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION, RUPIAH BANDA
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