To speed up the clearance of projects funded by the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), the government has released new regulations.
By limiting the delegation of the Secretary to the Treasury’s authority to Town Clerks and Council Secretaries for variations within the CDF program in local authorities, the measure aims to hasten the implementation of CDF projects.
According to Treasury and Financial Management Circular No. 4 of 2023, dated January 3rd, the Secretary to the Treasury has granted Town Clerks and Council Secretaries in Local Authorities, if necessary, the authority to approve up to a maximum 25-percent change of estimates of spending.
Previously, the Treasury Secretary’s consent was required.
Additionally, according to Finance Minister SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE, new steps are anticipated to hasten and improve the efficiency of CDF project implementation.
According to Dr. MUSOKOTWANE, the measures will also enhance the provision of public services by local governments, generate jobs for women and young people, and ultimately aid in the socioeconomic growth of the nation.
And according to Dr. MUSOKOTWANE, the execution of the 2023 budget has started out smoothly.
He claims that the Treasury has already disbursed 1.8 billion kwacha to pay for the provision of public services.
Of the money released, 217.8 million kwacha went to CDF for bursaries for secondary schools and skills development training while 419.3 million kwacha went to the Ministry of Education for school grants.
The Minister reports that, among other important areas, the service of external debt received 48.8 million kwacha and the dismantling of domestic debt received 619.8 million kwacha.
