Over K1billion CDF released since January

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development has disclosed that it has since January 2022 received one billion, four hundred and two million, four hundred and eighty four thousand, three and fifty five Kwacha (K1, 402, 484, 355. 00) from the treasury towards the constituency development fund (CDF).

Speaking at a press briefing in Lusaka today, minister in-charge, Garry Nkombo says of the received funds, a total of K1, 003, 656, 525. 00 has since been disbursed to respective constituencies for secondary boarding school and skills development bursaries, community projects and empowerment funds representing 25 percent of the total allocation for the CDF for the 156 constituencies in the country.

Mr Nkombo says so far, each constituency has received K6, 433, 695. 67 in CDF, which includes 5 percent of administrative component.

He adds that over 216 community projects have been approved for implementation in 38 constituencies at an estimated cost of K125, 856, 383. 83 and over 10, 200 pupils in 88 constituencies have accessed secondary school bursaries amounting to K 21, 140, 304. 68 while over 6, 173 youths in 95 constituencies have accessed skills development bursaries amounting to K32, 856,734.00.

Mr Nkombo further states that 536 cooperatives consisting of youth, women and vulnerable community members in 10 constituencies have accessed the empowerment grant totaling K10, 121, 690.35.

He has reiterated that Government is cognizant of the need for the CDF disbursement to reach its intended beneficiaries in good time to allow for effective and efficient implementation in line with the CDF guidelines which outline the clear process and criteria for prioritization, appraisal and approval of community projects and the process of selecting beneficiaries of bursaries and the empowerment funds.

Speaking at the same briefing, Minister of Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Elias Mubanga says there has been an overwhelming response of subscription to register cooperatives.

Mr Mubanga adds that government is looking at ways to address some of the perceptions that the registration process is taking long.