By Francis Chipalo
“The heavy rains we experienced early today on Saturday has exposed all the CDF roads in Munali”, local community leader Chrispin Chiinda stated on his Facebook page.
Chiinda later on posted video clips of recently upgraded roads in the constituency using CDF that were extensively damaged following the heavy downpour.
A lot of similar concerns elsewhere have been raised on the use of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) especially with the fund having seen an increment, a decision which could have been done in good faith by President Hakainde Hichilema’s administration.
I covered a press briefing sometimes last year by the Zambia Institute of Architects (ZIA) where the institution had expressed concerns on the poor quality of some projects under CDF in some parts of the country.
As expected, government through local government permanent secretary at the time defended itself, arguing that councils had qualified personnel capable of delivering quality projects that would stand the test of time.
At their AGM some time last year, Vice President Mutale Nalumango challenged ZIA to cleanse itself of members who designed buildings that end up collapsing and causing disasters a few years after construction.
Good call by the Veep! However, this article is not about ZIA but it is about CDF. I have mentioned ZIA because of their comment on CDF projects and also because some of these projects being undertaken involve infrastructure development, among them, buildings, roads etc.
It is expected that these projects or contracts should be given and done by qualified entities so that people can get value for their money.
But is that the case in your area? Are you getting value for your money on those CDF projects being undertaken by your local authorities or whoever is doing them? Are you satisfied with the works being done using your money as a taxpayer?
Whilst agreeing that disasters are normal and can cause serious damage to property, we need to begin holding accountable people in charge of these projects and taking serious action to send a strong warning to others.
Imagine constructing a road then two months later it gets washed away due to poor works? Are you going to live it like that? Certainly not. It means you will need to go back are redo the works again but using which resources? Isn’t that wastage and abuse of funds?
We have heard complaints elsewhere of poor work quality on CDF projects yet we haven’t seen any action being taken against people in charge apart from empty warnings.
Fellow Zambians, CDF or not, it is high time we begun holding our leaders accountable for their actions or else they will continue abusing us and going scot-free while we remain complaining without benefits.
Hold your leaders accountable for abusing CDF and demand for quality works, failure to which, you are the one promoting mediocrity kwamana.
My opinion!
The author is a Journalist, Media Consultant and Mental Health Activist
Whatsapp your comments to; 0977203043
Email; francischipalo@rocketmail.com
