Members of Parliament fight with councillors

Reports have shown that councilors are planning to request government to introduce Ward Development Fund pegged at K7 million per year.

The development comes amid misunderstandings between councilors and members of parliament over the use of constituency development fund.

Councilors who spoke to Radio Islam in Blantyre complained that they lack resources to meet development proposals from communities due to stinginess of Mp’s on CDF.

“One major challenge we have been complaining is about mobility which seems to be a by-gone issue following government’s promise to provide motor bikes,” said the councillors.

This time around it is the issue of resources to fund several development projects to meet the expectation of wards they serve.

According to most councilors who spoke to this radio, Members of Parliament regard the constituency development fund as their pocket money as they deny councilors access to it.

One councilor from Blantyre complained that a member of parliament returned to account number one about K2.7 million after failing to use it yet councilors in the constituency needed such resources for improvement of roads and bridges.

“We have therefore ganged up through Malawi Local Government Association MALGA to request government to establish Ward Development Fund in order to meet expectations of their wards,”they said.

However, MALGA president Samson Chaziya while describing the development as a good idea, said it will be discussed at MALGA full council meeting which takes place quarterly.

Chaxiya said once approved, the proposal will surely be sent to relevant authorities for consideration adding councilors are not accessing funds for development projects.

“The development will help reduce conflicts between councilors and members of parliament over development constituency fund,” explained Chaxiya.

Meanwhile, Member of Parliament for Blantyre Kabula Rashid Gaffar has said CDF is for the constituency and councilors are supposed to access funding from District Development fund as well as food for work.

“Councilors have a large chunk of funding as compared to CDF which he uses for building school blocks,” concluded Gaffar.