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THE latest Auditor General’s report has revealed that more than KR111.4 million Constituency Development Funds (CDF) remained unutilised in eight constituencies during the 2011 financial year.
Despite the unutilised funds remaining dormant, additional funds continued to be released, a move which the Auditor General has queried.
Anna Chifungula said there were several irregularities in the disbursement and management of the CDF, which had continued to be a source of ‘grave’ concern among stakeholders.
In Luapula Province, KR6.1 million funded in 2010 and 2011 for CDF projects in 13 Constituencies had not been spent as of September, last year.
She said although the amount remained unused, a further KR14 million was released in October, the same year bringing the total of the unutilised funds to K20.1million.
“The rationale of disbursing the KR14million for 2012 CDF before exhausting the previous allocation is questionable,” she said.
Overall, the Auditor General said there were weaknesses in internal controls because payments were not supported with relevant documents, while vouchers were missing, imprest was not retired and building materials were as well not accounted for.
In Southern Province, the report noted that KR18million was released for CDF projects in seven local authorities but that as of September last year only KR10million had been spent, leaving a balance of KR7.8million, which remained unutilised.
She expressed concern that a further KR6million was released bringing the total of unspent money to KR13.9 million.
In Lusaka, the report said KR16.6 million was disbursed for CDF projects in 12 Constituencies out of which KR6.9 million was utilised leaving a balance of K9.6 million as of September, last year.
Although KR9.6million remained unspent, it was observed that a further KR12 million was disbursed to the 12 Constituencies bringing the total unspent funds to KR21.6 million.
Ms Chifungula questioned the rationale of disbursing additional funds, when the previous allocation had not been fully exhausted.
On the Copperbelt, KR18 million was funded for the implementation of CDF projects in 13 Constituencies in five local authorities out of which only KR7.8 million was utilised leaving a balance of KR10.1 million as of September last year.
Despite the balance, an additional KR13 million was disbursed to the same areas bringing the total of unspent money to KR23.1million.
Northern Province had KR4.1 million remaining unutilised during the reviewed financial year but yet another disbursement was made of a total KR8 million.
Similarly in Eastern Province, the province had KR3.2 million in its coffers but had also received an additional K14 million bringing the total of unused funds to K17.2 million while Central Province had KR3.2 million unutilised funds.
