CSOs protest CDF delays

Civil society organisations have expressed reservations with delayed disbursement of the Reformed K5 billion Constituency Development Fund, warning that it could delay implementation with the rainy season approaching.

Speaking at a press briefing in Lilongwe on Thursday, National Advocacy Platform chairperson Benedicto Kondowe noted that the government released K85.5 billion to 30 of the 36 local councils for advance payments to contractors, alongside money for project management, bursaries, sports development and economic empowerment.

Bridge constructed under CDF. | Nation

“At the current pace, we fear that even half of the earmarked resources may not be disbursed in time for meaningful implementation,” he said.

The concerns come amid conflicting accounts over the status of the funds.

The government said the K85.5 billion will enable contractors in the 30 councils to mobilise for CDF projects. Six councils—Blantyre City, Blantyre District, Chikwawa, Kasungu, Mulanje and Nsanje—were left out after failing to complete procurement processes.

But Malawi Local Government Association executive director Hadrod Mkandawire last week said that the announcement did not translate into actual credits in councils’ bank accounts.

The CDF rose from K200 million to K5 billion per constituency in the 2026/27 financial year and accounts for K1.145 trillion in the K10.9 trillion National Budget covering 229 constituencies.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ben Phiri has previously defended the government’s handling of the fund and rejected suggestions that government had no money.

“Yes, we are facing turbulence. However, it does not mean to say that projects are not running. I think it is unfair to say that the government has completely no money,” he said.

Kondowe said the delay could leave classrooms, health facilities, water points and roads unfinished or unstarted if the money was not released and used in time.

The organisations include the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation, the Malawi Economic Justice Network, the Civil Society Agriculture Network, Youth and Society and the National Anti-Corruption Alliance, Centre For Social Accountability and Transparency among others.

The post CSOs protest CDF delays appeared first on Nation Online.