Some civil society organisations such as Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation, the Centre for Social Concern, the Malawi Economic Justice Network, the Civil Society Agriculture Network, Youth and Society and the National Anti-Corruption Alliance have warned that slow disbursement of the reformed Constituency Development Fund could delay projects in constituencies across the country as the financial year advances and the rainy season approaches.
National Advocacy Platform chairperson Benedicto Kondowe during Press briefing in Lilongwe said government had so far released K85.5 billion to 30 of the 36 local councils for advance payments to contractors, alongside money for projects management, bursaries, sports development and economic empowerment.
Kondowe said K1.3 trillion earmarked for the fund in the current financial year its a long way to be reached looking at the pace of disbursement as it remained too slow with only K85.5 billion released.
“At the current pace, we fear that even half of the earmarked resources may not be disbursed in time for meaningful implementation,” Kondowe said.
He said the delay could leave the identified projects unfinished or unstarted if the money was not released and used in time.
As of today six local councils have not accessed the latest project funds because they have not met the required conditions.
They demanded that government should regularly disclose information on disbursements, projects, contractors, expenditure and implementation progress to improve transparency and public accountability.
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