aPresident Peter Mutharika has begun reviewing a new law concerning the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) that was passed by Members of Parliament in the National Assembly.
According to the President’s spokesperson, Cathy Maulidi, the Head of State has now received the bill and his office has started examining it.
Maulidi said that once the review is completed, the President will make a decision on whether or not to assent to the bill.
Among other provisions, the new CDF law seeks to allow Members of Parliament to play a direct role in the management and use of CDF development funds.
The CDF is a critical tool for grassroots development. Its importance includes:
• Promoting local development: CDF enables communities to implement small-scale but high-impact projects such as schools, clinics, bridges, boreholes, and markets.
• Addressing local priorities: Funds are allocated at constituency level, allowing development to respond directly to the most pressing needs of local people.
• Reducing regional inequalities: By distributing resources across constituencies, CDF helps ensure that rural and marginalized areas are not left behind.
• Enhancing accountability and participation: When properly managed, CDF encourages community involvement and oversight in development initiatives.
• Speed and flexibility: Unlike large national projects, CDF-funded projects can be implemented faster and tailored to local realities.
However, the effectiveness of CDF depends heavily on transparent management, strong oversight, and clear separation between political influence and administrative control to ensure funds truly benefit communities.
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