The Constituency Development Fund (CDF) has witnessed a substantial increase in financial allocation from the government over the past two and a half years. However, Sustainable Natural Resource Empowerment Initiative (SuNREI) National Coordinator Eugene Mulenga has voiced concerns to Flava News regarding the potential risks associated with inadequate planning in the allocation of these funds.
Mr. Mulenga highlighted that without effective planning, there is a significant risk of misallocating funds to projects that may not adequately address the most pressing needs of the community. This, in turn, could lead to inefficient resource utilisation and hinder the overall impact of the CDF in promoting sustainable development within specific constituencies.
Mr. Mulenga states that the lack of proper development planning and oversight can result in various challenges and issues. He further pointed out that insufficient planning may contribute to a lack of transparency and accountability in the utilisation of CDF funds. Without adequate monitoring mechanisms in place, local authorities find it challenging to track expenditure, thereby increasing the likelihood of corruption and misuse of funds.
He further stated that the absence of proper planning and mismanagement of CDF could erode public trust in the government’s ability to address local needs. This, in turn, may have broader implications for governance and civic engagement, as constituents may lose faith in government-led development initiatives.
