GOVT URGED TO ENSURE EFFECTIVE UTILIZATION OF CDF BEFORE INCREASING ITS ALLOCATION
The Center for Sustainable Democracy and Governance is urging government to ensure effective utilization of the Constituency Development Fund –CDF- before increasing its allocation in the 2025 national budget.
President Hakainde Hichilema recently directed Finance and National Planning Minister Situmbeko Musokotwane to increase CDF allocation in the 2025 national budget.
Reacting to this directive, Organization Executive Director Caroline Katotobwe says while increasing CDF allocation is a welcome move, its poor execution and underutilization in some constituencies has prevented the fund from delivering its intended benefits.
Ms Katotobwe says the slow pace of project implementation hinders the potential advantages of the CDF, hence urging local authorities to ensure more effective deployment of the fund.
She anticipates that with ongoing efforts to revamp the mining sector and finalization of the debt restructuring process, Zambia’s economy is expected to experience significant growth.
By Nonhlanhla Phuti
PN