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In separate interviews yesterday the MPs said they were supposed to have received half of the amount by mid-year.
The legislators said it was doubtful that the money would be disbursed anytime soon as Finance Minister Tendai Biti always told them that there was money.
“None of us has received anything from Treasury. We last received money for 2010 and did not get anything for 2011,” said Cde Clifford Sibanda, the MP for Bubi constituency.
“Minister Biti is always saying there is no money. We doubt whether we will get anything this year. We will see what he has when he presents his mid-term fiscal policy review. This is shocking because we expected the funds to be availed on time for us to facilitate development in our constituencies.
“We always question him on the issue but he says there is pressure on the fiscus. It seems Minister Biti does not know what he is doing. There is no hope in him and this is so disheartening. He should just admit that he has failed as a minister. We have always wondered how a lawyer would manage finances.”
The MP for Umzingwane constituency, Ms Nomalanga Khumalo, said the legislators were frustrated by delays in the disbursement of CDF allocations.
Said Ms Khumalo: “We have not received anything for CDF this year and we do not know when the money would be availed,” she said adding; “This money is long overdue and legislators always ask about it in Parliament only to be told that there is no money. The Government should improve its revenue inflows and ensure that all money goes to Treasury to support development programmes.”
Binga South MP Mr Gabbuza Joel Gabuza said by right Treasury was supposed to allocate 50 percent of the money in the first half of the year.
“By right we should have received half of the money by now but as it is no one has received anything,” said Mr Gabuza.
Beitbridge East MP Cde Kembo Mohadi said this year’s CDF allocation had missed the deadline, adding that Government must first conclude the audit of previous allocations.
“I do not know why the allocations are delayed. Of course resources are hard to come by but usually allocations start with MPs and then ministers get it later,” said Cde Mohadi.
“I understand the audit of the CDF projects is still on. I think it makes sense to first complete the audit and see how the money was used before disbursing the second tranche.”
Contacted for comment Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Eric Matinenga also expressed doubt that the CDF allocations would be availed anytime soon.
“The MPs have not received the money. The fiscal space is extremely tight unless we have massive revenue inflows,” said Minister Matinenga who is MP for Buhera West.
He said the audit of previous CDF allocations was still on and would cover all constituencies.
“The audit is still on. Initially we made audit samples but because of the political misconceptions over the exercise we have now decided to audit every constituency in the country.”
Minister Matinenga could, however, not be drawn to give statistics of how many constituencies had been audited so far but said Matabeleland North and South and the Midlands had not been audited.
Minister Biti could not be reached on his mobile phone for comment.
The Government introduced the CDF facility in its 2010 national budget as part of efforts to facilitate community development at a local level and complement other projects at national level.
In this year’s budget Minister Biti allocated $8 million for CDF, which meant that each of the 210 constituencies would get $38 000 against the $50 000 received from previous allocations.
Under this fund, MPs are expected to play their leadership role in the planning and execution of the projects that have an immediate impact on the livelihood of communities.
However, the fund has been marred by controversy amid rampant abuse by some legislators who allegedly diverted the funds for their personal use.
Early this year three MPs were arrested for allegedly abusing CDF following investigations by the Anti-Corruption Commission of MPs. The investigations were short-lived after Attorney General Mr Johannes Tomana ordered the Commission to stop the exercise before ordering Minister Matinenga to conduct a thorough audit of all the 210 constituencies.
Online Reporter