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Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Reporter
GOVERNMENT has challenged Members of Parliament (MPs) to utilise the Constituency Development Funds (CDF) in a transparent manner to bring development to constituencies.
Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs Minister Cde Richard Moyo said this on Tuesday while distributing 600 bags of cement in his Umguza constituency using money from the CDF.
He said the constituency received $175 000 for CDF programmes last year.
Cde Moyo said it was critical for legislators to involve locals in ensuring that the CDF is transparently utilised.
“We are distributing 600 bags of cement to mainly primary schools in our constituency. When Government introduced Early Childhood Development in schools, there was no requisite infrastructure to complement the programme,” said Cde Moyo.
“As a constituency we decided to use the CDF funds for construction of ECD blocks. Although, the funds may not be adequate for all developmental projects in the constituency, we have done the process in the most transparent manner. I don’t think there is anyone who can claim that we are not transparent. Therefore, I appeal to other MPs in the province to have consensus with communities in their constituencies on priority projects to be undertaken in their areas.”
He said Government does not expect MPs to be accused of abusing the funds as was the case previously.
Cde Moyo said legislators should also make sure they work with local authorities in implementing programmes.
“Remember local authorities received devolution funds. So, in implementing their CDF projects they should make sure they work closely with local authorities so that there is no duplication of projects in our communities. We should be complementing each other as opposed to competing with one another,” he said.
Cde Moyo challenged councillors to be proactive and monitor the utilisation of funds as they are the ones who are in touch with the grassroots on a daily basis.The Minister also took the opportunity to distribute 30 tonnes of rice in his constituency. “This rice was donated to us by the President last year but it had delayed to reach us as we were supposed to get it last year in December. Each MP was getting 15 tonnes of rice but for constituencies led by an MP who is also a minister we got 30 tonnes.
“We know the rice will not be enough for everyone but let us work together to ensure that the most vulnerable in our communities receive it. We don’t expect to hear squabbles or complaints that intended beneficiaries did not get the rice,” he said. – @nqotshili
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