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—Government will release the remaining balance of K122.6 million Constituency Development Funds (CDF) in September this year to areas that did not receive the money.
Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda said in a ministerial statement in parliament today that the amount translates to 58 percent following the earlier K87.3 million released by his ministry in June this year.
Mr. Chikwanda said government wants to ensure that micro-community projects in various constituencies are undertaken prior to the commencement of the rainy season.
The Minister however sounded a warning that the actual disbursement to individual constituencies would depend on the outcome of constituency audit reports.
He advised MPs to ensure that the funds are utilized in line with the relevant regulations governing public finance management so that the people in the constituencies benefit from the government resources.
“Misuse of these funds is a negation of the essence and legitimacy of the CDF,” Mr. Chikwanda said.
Government in 2011 allocated K108 million CDF money and another K210 million in 2014.
Meanwhile, Parliament heard today that government is committed to reviewing the Non-Governmental Organisations Act of 2010.
Community Development, Mother and Child Health Deputy Minister Dorothy Kazonga said government recognizes the role played by the NGOs in the country.
Mrs. Kazonga said her ministry is in consultation and working closely with the NGO Registration Board including other line ministries on the proposed road-map because the PF Government is satisfied with the provisions of the Act in its current form.
She was responding to a question raised by PF Chipili MP Davies Mr Mwila who wanted to find out whether the Government has any plans to review the Non-Governmental Organisations Act of 2010 and if it is satisfied with the provisions of the Act in its current form.
And the Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education Neverlyn Wilombe disclosed that government is constructing 26 x 4 storey hostels at the University of Zambia (UNZA) Great East Road campus in order to mitigate the bed-spaces at the institution.
Professor Wilombe said 4,160 bed spaces would be created once the hostels are completed.
He said UNZA Management has also been tasked to increase the inadequate bed spaces faced by the students.
He said the construction of additional hostels would commence after a contractor is awarded to do the works as government has advertised for bids.
