A governance expert in Solwezi John Kalusa has observed that the increase of the Constituency Development Fund ( CDF ) from K1.6 million to K25.7 million per constituency is not enough because all capital projects in education and health sectors have been shifted to local authorities.
Mr. Kalusa states that people should not be excited because going by the needs that have been decentralised to local authorities, the funds are not enough.
He said going forward, central government will no longer be responsible for the construction of school and health infrastructure.
“So, ultimately it may not be enough though people seem excited thinking it is a big amount,” said Mr. Kalusa.
He said with the introduction of free education coupled with the scrapping off of examination fees, communities have been allowed to identify vulnerable children for financial support from the same funds.
He said if the funds are utilised in the same manner as was done previously, the funds where going to be, more than enough.
“But with the new changes where some responsibilities have been shifted from the central government to the local authorities, am afraid, the funds are not enough, “he said.
He has called for the councils as well as ward development committees to be capacity built for them to prudently utilise the funds.
On time frame in terms disbursement, Mr. Kalusa said the local authorities need to be quick in retiring the previous allocation if they are to receive the next allocation on time.
He said time of disbursement is not a factor but accountability adding that funds can only be disbursed after each local authority has satisfied its requirements.
