Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) says the change of the pay point from the Ministry of Local Government and Housing to the Ministry of Finance cannot in any way be a solution to the abuse of Constituency Development Funds (CDF).
TIZ Executive Director Goodwell Lungu says this is because the misappropriation of funds takes place at the local implementation level where the funds are released.
Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Lusaka today, Mr. Lungu said that his organisation is aware that the measure was done in order to address the alleged misappropriation of CDF funds like what happened at the Ministry of Local Government recently.
He however points out that it is an insignificant move as there is evidence that even the Ministry of Finance is also not in good books with the Auditor Generals Office.
Mr. Lungu pointed out that the 2012 CDF audit report indicates that there is high abuse of CDF funds at the local implementation level where the funds are released.
He furthers said that Government continued negligence to address the mismanagement of CDF funds was another great contributor to the misappropriation CDF funds.
Mr. Lungu further disclosed that TIZ is working towards producing a new version of ‘Show Me the Money’ this year that will demonstrate how the Government has addressed clear examples of misappropriation of public funds including CDF.
Give government a chance first. Firstly, a problem has been identified. After studying the situation critically, one workable solution has been proposed. Give support to the implementation first. When the solution fails to resolve the crisis, then sit down again and come up with the way forward.