Expectations are mounting for faster delivery of development projects across the country after the government assured Parliament that the implementation of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) remains on course despite concerns over delays.
Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Ben Phiri told Parliament on Tuesday that the CDF programme is progressing according to plan, saying local councils are following the required procedures before funds can be released for projects.
Phiri was responding to concerns raised by Mchinji North East Member of Parliament Anthony Masamba, who questioned the clarity of implementation timelines and warned that rising costs could affect the value of projects if execution was delayed.
The minister said there had been no delays in managing the fund, arguing that CDF implementation required proper planning, particularly through procurement and project implementation plans. He said councils had already started procurement processes, with some having completed the engagement of contractors.
“There is nothing that has been delayed in the management of such a huge amount, because you are dealing with infrastructure development. In terms of CDF implementation, we are on track and nobody should worry about anything,” Phiri said.
He explained that councils would only receive mobilisation funds after securing contractors, adding that payments would thereafter be made based on certified progress.
According to Phiri, the approach was designed to ensure accountability and prevent funds from remaining unused at council level.
The minister said government had moved away from simply transferring money to councils without clear implementation plans, introducing a performance-based system where councils would be assessed according to progress.
He added that a public CDF dashboard would soon be introduced to allow citizens to monitor projects.
Phiri also highlighted improvements in local government capacity, saying government had filled key positions that had previously affected service delivery. He said councils now had qualified directors of public works, finance officers and procurement specialists to support effective implementation.
Masamba welcomed the preparations made for CDF but maintained that government needed to provide clearer timelines for actual project implementation.
He warned that delays could result in increased costs due to changing market prices, potentially reducing the impact of the allocated resources.
