01/12/2025
MINISTER OF LOCAL GORVENMENT AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT HOLDS A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION WITH ACB.
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Dr. Ben Malunga Phiri, on Monday held a roundtable discussion with the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to strategise on strengthening integrity systems ahead of the rollout of the MK5 billion Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to local councils in the next financial year.
The engagement follows a review of reports revealing persistent corruption, fraud, and mismanagement of CDF and other development projects in several local councils.
In response, the Minister intends to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with key oversight institutions to ensure that corruption is stamped out and that the substantial resources being channelled to communities achieve their intended purpose.
During the meeting, Dr. Phiri urged the ACB to design measures that will prevent misuse of funds before it occurs, stressing that integrity institutions often intervene only after resources have already been abused.
“There must be clear mechanisms put in place in advance to protect public resources,” he said.
Representing the ACB Director General, Chief Corruption Prevention Officer Susan Mtuwa commended the Minister for his proactive approach, saying such foresight is often lacking in many government institutions.
She reaffirmed ACB’s commitment to fully participate in ensuring that corruption and fraud are prevented at all stages of project implementation.
The meeting resolved that an MoU between integrity institutions, the Ministry of Local Government, and local councils must be finalised before the first tranche of the MK5 billion CDF is disbursed.
Dr. Phiri further directed that a comprehensive meeting be convened with all parties integrity institutions, the ministry, and local councils to agree on operational modalities and sign the MoUs, ensuring every stakeholder clearly understands their roles once implementation begins.
Reported by Lilian Kadongola.
©️ Copyright Power Global Media Limited. Company Limited by Guarantee.