CSAT CALLS FOR IMPROVED ACCOUNTABILITY OF PUBLIC FUNDS

Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (CSAT) has called for improved accountability measures in the management of public funds, including the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), to ensure transparent and efficient service delivery.

CSAT Executive Director Willy Kwambwandira was reacting to the increased allocation of the CDF to K22.9 billion from K19.3 billion following the adoption of the new constituencies and wards boundaries from across the country.

According to the Malawi Electoral Commission (Mec) boundary review report which Justice and Constitutional Affairs Minister Titus Mvalo presented to the National Assembly last week, there will be 229 constituencies and 509 wards in 2025 elections, translating into additional K3.6 billion allocation of taxpayers’ money to the CDF annual budget.

Currently, there are 193 constituencies which get K100 million each, translating into K19.3 billion annually.

However, with current inefficiencies which rock the CDF, CSAT has called for strong accountability measures to ensure effective management of the increased CDF and other public funds.

“Government needs to come up with strong accountability mechanisms to ensure that the increased CDF is managed proficiently. This is a serious call because there are a lot gaps such as low transparency in the management of the current CDF bill.

For example, some fractions of community are not involved in the implementation of CDF projects and that delivery of some projects is not satisfactory,” said Kambwandira.

He cited several infrastructure developments such as bridges, health centers and classroom blocks from across the country which had been damaged, abandoned or stalled due to poor service delivery.