MPs to submit CDF proposals by November

MEMBERS of Parliament must start submitting their project proposals for consideration before the end of November to receive money from the Constituency Development Fund, the Speaker of Parliament, Advocate Jacob Mudenda, has announced.

The Treasury has allocated US$50 000, to be paid in local currency at the prevailing inter-market bank rate, for each constituency in the country. The fund will be administered by MPs under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

In an announcement to the National Assembly, Adv Mudenda stated that Members of Parliament may now begin submitting their constituency development projects for consideration.

“Following the presentation of the Mid-Term Budget and Economic Review Statement on 25th July 2024, Treasury has availed US$50 000 per constituency as the Constituency Development Fund. Honourable Members may start submitting their projects for consideration before 30th November 2024.

“All returning Members of Parliament who have not submitted their returns are encouraged to first acquit before accessing new funding. Furthermore, Honourable Members are required to start implementing CDF projects as soon as funds are deposited into their accounts so that projects do not take long to complete,” said Advocate Mudenda.

Zanu-PF Nketa legislator, Cde Albert Mavunga, said residents in his constituency expect the CDF to be used to address water challenges in the area. Bulawayo residents are enduring a prolonged water-shedding regime introduced by the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) as the city battles with water shortages exacerbated by the El Nino-induced drought, which has caused supply dams to run out of raw water.

“The top priority that residents expect the CDF to address is the issue of water shortages in Nketa, so we will use the funds to rehabilitate some of the boreholes that are no longer functional. Some of the boreholes need to be solar-powered, so the funds will go towards that,” said Cde Mavunga.

The legislator also noted that drug problems in his area are worsened by the lack of recreational facilities in Nketa, leaving youths with too much spare time, leading them to drugs and illegal substances.

“Youth centres in my constituency need to be renovated so that young people spend their time productively, as opposed to spending it in the streets where they are drawn to drug and substance abuse. Residents expect some of that money to be used in refurbishing the recreational centres,” he said.