The Sunday Mail
Norman Muchemwa
At least $10 million is now ready for disbursement to legislators for development projects in their constituencies, The Sunday Mail has established.
The money, under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is provided for under the 2019 National Budget.
Clerk of Parliament Mr Kennedy Chokuda last week confirmed the impending release of the funds.
He said a workshop had been held for legislators to spell out how to use the money and accountability procedures.
“I can confirm that funding for constituency development for 2018-2019 is now available and it amounts to $50 000 for each of the 210 constituencies,” he said.
“It must be noted that the money released last year was for 2017. The money for 2018-2019 is now with Parliament, it was transferred to our account by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development.
“The disbursement of Constituency Development Fund should begin any day next week (this week).We had a meeting with Members of Parliament on Thursday (last week).
“The meeting was meant to go with them through the CDF constitutional requirements in terms of accounting officers’ instructions so that when we disburse, we don’t have any challenges.”
Parliamentarians, he said, were required to apply for the money indicating the projects they were targeting in their constituencies or how they will use the money.
“We should be able to release the money to the legislators within two weeks of receiving their applications,” said Mr Chokuda.
“By mid-February, some members will have received their funding for projects in their respective constituencies.”
Mr Chokuda said the disbursements made in 2018 had been used to Parliament’s satisfaction.
The fund compels the members to submit monthly reports on allocations, to Parliament.
