Eastern Province Minister Peter Phiri has urged residents of Chama District to critically scrutinise political leaders and elect those who prioritise development over personal interests and politicking.
The media reports Mr Phiri said it was disheartening that some opposition figures were frustrating access to Constituency Development Fund (CDF) resources in their areas due to what he described as retrogressive political posturing.
He noted that all 156 constituencies receive an equal CDF allocation of K36.1 million, yet some political leaders continue to hinder communities from benefiting from these funds.
“I want to urge the people that as they chose leaders, let them choose leaders that prioritize development and not their personal gains,” he said.
The minister, who is also a Malambo Member of Parliament, said this when he toured Chama Day Secondary School, where the roof of a 1×3 classroom block was recently blown off.
Mr Phiri urged school administrators in the district to engage the Constituency Development Fund Committee (CDFC) and promptly present challenges requiring attention.
He also encouraged them to work closely with the District Commissioner’s office, noting that his office, as part of the CDFC, plays a key role in setting community development priorities.
” I am embarrassed here that you are lamenting over a blown off roof when you have money under disasters on CDF and no member of parliament can cheat that they do not receive these money and I am proud to serve under this government because we were voted into offices and the money came to us,” he said.
He said the New Dawn Government’s policies, such as free education, have resulted in many pupils returning to school, making collaboration between administrators and local leaders even more essential.
Mr Phiri emphasized the urgent need to rehabilitate and expand learning spaces, especially in rural areas like Chama, to ensure that learners fully appreciate the government’s development agenda.
He reminded the school leadership that Chama North Constituency’s expanded CDF allocation of K36.1 million presents an opportunity for local solutions, and urged them not to rely solely on central government support.
He further assured the school management that he will engage the area Member of Parliament, the District Commissioner and the CDFC leadership to address the school’s challenges, including inadequate classrooms and water points.
Meanwhile, Chama Day Secondary School Head Teacher Edward Kachali said the school has recorded a reduction in dropouts linked to teen pregnancies, crediting the improvement to outreach initiatives involving the PTA and community members during open days and annual general meetings.
Mr  Kachali said that the school currently has an enrolment of 1,543 learners, a situation he attributed largely to the free education policy and feeding programmes supported by government partners.
He said the school has used government grants to install a water tank to help address water shortages. It has also repaired 86 double-sitter desks and 93 chairs in line with the President’s directive that no child should sit on the floor while learning.
The Head Teacher added that the school has a staff complement of 67 teachers, 31 female and 36 male and continues to perform well in Grade 9 and Grade 12 examinations, ranking among the top five schools in the district.
Mr Kachali, however, bemoaned the lack of transport at the school, saying the situation makes it difficult to take sick pupils to the nearest hospital, which is located more than one kilometre away.
