Government has increased the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) from K1.6 million to K25.7 million per constituency.
Speaking when he delivered the proposed 2022 National Budget in Parliament today, Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane said the new dawn administration is taking resources closer to the people.
ZANIS reports that Dr. Musokotwane said the increased allocation to the constituencies especially the rural areas will ensure communities identify their priorities, make budgets and undertake the development programmes that are dear to them.
The minister stated that with the increased allocation for constituencies, government has also widened the scope for utilization of the CDF.
He explained that certain tasks that were previously under the Central government through the district offices will no longer be performed by them as they will be undertaken by the local authorities working with the local communities.
“For example, primary school classrooms, teachers’ houses, desks, rural clinics, staff houses, local courts, small bridges, clearance of canals, community boreholes, dip tanks and small dams must be funded under CDF. Constituencies must budget for all items under CDF,” he said.
Dr. Musokotwane added that community-based projects, empowerment schemes that were previously funded through relevant ministries such as youth and gender will now be funded under CDF.
He explained that bursaries for secondary schools and skills development will also be administered through CDF as it will ensure equity.
The minister further explained that the model will also benefit rural communities unlike the past where concentration was in the urban areas.
He said the sector ministries will continue to provide policy and expert advice in the implementation of CDF financed projects.
“Government will ensure that the CDF and other resources that will be provided to local authorities are used prudently. To attain this, guidelines and standards for utilization, management, monitoring and evaluation of resources are being developed together with capacity building programmes,” he said.
Dr. Musokotwane has since warned on the abuse of CDF and failure to sanction those who misuse the funds will attract heavy punishment.
As an economist I can tell you that this is unprecedented and this is a jobs creation budget.
It will now be up to the people in each and every constituency to decide what they want to invest their money in and determine their own development agenda.
Excellent job on the education sector reforms and I wish they had clarified on boarding fees for the boarders in government schools.
Otherwise great budget and great job Finance Minister and great job HH7. Job well done Mr. President.
2026 is yours UPND
Just work on the implementation and enforcement of punishment for misuse or misapplication of CDF funds.
This is very very critical – “Government will ensure that the CDF and other resources that will be provided to local authorities are used prudently. To attain this, guidelines and standards for utilization, management, monitoring and evaluation of resources are being developed together with capacity building programmes,”
Great job once again.
If used prudently it shall develop constituents indeed.
They said they inherited empty coffers. So where is the money coming from? Would I be called rude if I called hh a liar or thief? Because only thieves tell you there is no money when there is, so that they can eat the money themselves. We thought upnd said their aim was fiscal discipline and yet all we see is overzealous spending. Does this mean more kaloba? Is this not what they campaigned against?
Placing more money in constituencies does not prevent theft. Upnd has majority seats which means its in their favour to fund constituencies as much as they can. It opens up a conduit to enrich their mps and buy off opposition. Dictatorial tendencies.
Bane ,ine,mebo, ndalomba – nipempa chabe chintu chimozi : I want to hear all those PF cadres who usually insult HH & UPND to talk now. The flow is yours guys – ine manje niziiiiii.
We voted him out, what are you talking about. You are too excited for nothing. We wait for all these pronouncements to be a reality before you start jumping like a constipated monkey. If things are so good why are you hiding away in South Africa. Come join me and others in zambia if you have so much confidence in your tribal party
For your own information No.3, this is a proposed budget and is tilting towards decentralization. One doesn’t see how the MPs will steal the CDF money when you have relevant controlling officers in all provinces and possibly in the constituencies. Anyways the last statement will come from the Auditor General.
The implementation part will be a learning curve for everyone in each and every constituency. Even for the members of parliament.
This is decentralization even though it’s not 100% decentralization like in other countries like the USA. Still a great step for Zambia.
I have no doubt that it will work. I just hope that the funds will be disbursed in time by the Secretary to the Treasury.
As I mentioned in my second comment this part below will be very very critical to the implementation process.
This is very very critical – “Government will ensure that the CDF and other resources that will be provided to local authorities are used prudently. To attain this, guidelines and standards for utilization, management, monitoring and evaluation of resources are being developed together with capacity building programmes,”
Good luck to this government.
I like the budget and hope it will be implemented as it is . I can foresee Zambia beginning to become another Rwanda by 2026.
THIS IS HUGE ! VERY EXCITING ! Empowering Zambians at constituency level, increasing from 1.6 to 25Mil. That is great ! This is the start of actual decentralization by empowering constituents.
Recruitment of teachers…30,000 ! ……
A very transformational and progressive budget !!!!…..HH , a Man of vision and really doing something for ZAMBIANS.
FOR ALL OF US ZAMBIANS THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM IS THAT OUR BUDGET IS ABOUT 10 BILLION DOLLARS AND OUR NATIONAL GP IS ONLY ABOUT 30 BILLION DOLLARS. NOW CONSIDER THAT ELON MUSK THE RICHEST MAN ON PLANET EARTH IS WORTH OVER 250 BILLION DOLLARS. THIS IS A VERY SOBERING STATISTIC WHICH GOES TO SHOW THAT WE HAVE BEEN IN A DEEP SLUMBER SINCE 1964.
IT’S VERY VERY SAD!
Looks good on paper well done to the new govt this is refreshing a real change majority of the people wanted…this is truly a govt for the people!!
Good start , am always positive with this new government. Ba KZ thinks pf left money, read the budget noise maker.
Economy for everyone
Time to appoint and train competent controlling officers for this budget to be successfully implemented.
Really a leap forward and very progressive. The actual implementation will be key. There needs to be proactive monitoring to ensure funds are not abused and viable, sustainable projects are actually implemented. Awarding of contracts and suppliers need to be focused on local SMEs as well (not money taken back to LSK by contractors). And we don’t want a situation where workshops are organised at ‘Boma’ by teachers; nurses; etc. weeks on end just to get per diems.
Proper guidelines on project planning; monitoring; acquittal; etc need to be written quickly. Training in integrity; conflict of interest and corruption is required ASAP. Happy to help if need be.
Ati ” where is the money coming from ” ?
The difference is what the PF used to steal , bribe marketeers and pay their thugs……….
Don’t get it twisted, I’m still the same troll who pretends to be Kaizar Zulu. Before I used to blog under Mushota. I will prove to you later by swapping names on my profile photo. So what I am allowed to troll as this is the Internet.
Yes some back I used to go by Mushota, although I now prefer trolling under KZ because that makes me feel important and tough.
No Mushota.
No Kaizar Zulu.
Even if MP take out K5million for himself, no one in constituency will notice. Too much money bwana.
Even Lusambo’s constituency will receive K25 million instead of K1.2 million??
PF consituences will be chaotic…. UPND MPs need to defect so they have chance to steal K5million.
Viva UPND government…working for the people . 2026 is slowly but surely coming home.
This budget feels like Mt. Everest climbing without life support. Wishful but incapacitated by financial illiteracy at the base. To much money promised selected sectors but as it were, it’s only but a promise.
This promise based barryvirus Government is definitely not pragmatic. It’s a snare, there will be bruises and timidness. It true ni beans. u5 government with an u5 budget ni beans. Out of touch of reality.
Sounds like a feel good on paper budget.
Let’s give these all time losers time implement it.
Let them prove it; like evidence, let’s live to see it, feel it @nd experience it.
I don’t trust anything stooge situmbeko does. He has failed us before.
Heighten checks and balances.
Huge money at the hands of unlearned and corrupt upnd grassroot grasshoppers is dangerous. Look at how they stole the election. They will loot again and schemy ballyvirus will do nothing about it.
Ok 2022, no school fees, no hospital fees, no too much PAYE. What about fuel prices? Kaya! How will the dollar perform? Kaya! Ati shani apo nga inflation? Kaya! We will wait and see.
Zambians let’s give upnd the support they need to implement and govern this economy under this budget. It’s successful implementation means a better life for Zambians.
I hope it inspires hope and not encourage laziness.
Me I am confident and happy that my children will not be paying school fees. I hope the feeder road to my farm will be graded so that I can move my farm output headachelessly. With CDF coming home huge is a big plus a this is possible. More like decentralization people. People please no thieving please.
Kilimanjaro budget. What a commitment!
However, how did you manage to hide that devil is in the detail?
Bottom line is the CDF hasn’t been increased. Government has thrown the responsibilities of running affairs to constituents instead of Lusaka running the affairs for them. #26 Call it the devil hidden in the detail. It’s a good idea in that it cuts out much of the red tape.
Good budget but we hope CDF funds will not be mismanaged. Let
Them be careful as funds will be too much for councils to handle.
Well well well, what do we have here a Thorn in the Flesh crone?
Welcome on board.
I ask for discipline under my title. This brand is tough. You better be called Thorn in the Flesh crone.
#30 Moto.. responsibilities have been transferred to local administrations. If a Constituency fails to utilize this money prudently, then that’s the end. There will be further assistance from the government.
I hope the implementation of this budget will be as well thought out as the work that went into preparing the budget. Otherwise it will just create a decentralized corrupt system from a centralized one. If implemented properly, it will force people to go back to the land and decongest Lusaka and other main cities. My main worry about the budget is how it is vague on fuel subsidies. Every development is highly dependent on fuel. If not managed properly, all this will be but a pipe dream. I don’t easily give the ruling party and main opposition party an easy ride but, well done HH and team on this budget. Watching you though and will be the first one to condemn you if you mess up.