The Audit Management Committee at M’mbelwa District Council has been urged to strengthen its oversight role amid growing concerns over the management of billions of kwacha under the expanded Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
With the reformed CDF scaled up to K65 billion across the district’s 13 constituencies, council officials say the stakes are higher than ever, warning that weak supervision could open the door to the misuse of public resources.
Speaking on tuesday during an orientation workshop for committee members, Council Auditor Noel Moyo stressed the need for diligence, professionalism, and strict adherence to government financial standards in managing the funds.
Council Auditor-Noel Moyo
“As resources increase, so do the risks. The committee must remain proactive and vigilant to ensure that every kwacha is accounted for,” Moyo said.
He cautioned that without strong oversight mechanisms, the expanded funding could be vulnerable to mismanagement, undermining development efforts intended to benefit communities.
Acting Director of Finance Daveson Matola echoed these sentiments, describing the Audit Management Committee as a critical pillar in promoting transparency and accountability across all council operations.
“The effectiveness of this committee directly impacts how well we safeguard public resources and deliver development at the constituency level,” said Matola.
The orientation workshop was designed to equip committee members with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively oversee the implementation of the reformed CDF, which has been significantly increased to accelerate grassroots development.
The push for stronger oversight comes at a time when the government is prioritizing accountability in public spending, particularly under high-impact programmes such as the CDF.
