LUNDAZI Town Council has been caught sleeping on duty after they were found falling to supervise government’s implementation of the Cash for work programme.
Since the programme commenced in the district three works ago, over 1,000 people have so far benefited from it, with works ranging from; construction, poster removal, cleaning and unblocking of drainages, and sweeping of the roads among others.
Each beneficiary is expected to get K600 after 10 days of work, as the hunger elimination project intends to last for 6 months with government’s hope and expectations of a better rainfall for the 2024-2025 rainy season, Which will in turn alleviate the country’s food security.
However, an inspection visit of the programme implementation by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Nicholas Phiri yesterday revealed that the works are not being supervised by the council who are government’s implementing partners in the initiative.
200 beneficiaries had been identified and currently working in the Lundazi Central business district were they are sweeping roads and drainages.
Council Secretary, Mfula Mwansa led the PS delegation to the sites which raised emotions of disappointment and not the expected satisfaction, as the works on the ground revealed otherwise.
Phiri said government did not allocate K21,001,590 into the district only for the council to utilise the money in sweeping roads and drainages.
He said the money was meant to help the local Authority carry out works that they could not have been able to do without the funds rather than sweeping of roads which is their duty.
“CS, you told me at the office that the beneficiaries are opening drainages, but these drainages are only being swept and remain blocked. The rainy season is coming and water will be getting blocked in the CBD despite you paying people.”
“These people can not be coming here to sweep everyday when the council is there and get paid after 10 days. This money is meant to be used on projects that the council could have not done without it such as molding of blocks for CDF projects…do not lie to me that you have been working when not. This only shows that these workers are not being supervised and this is why you are unaware of what is on the ground,” said Phiri.
Phiri further told the council not to operate on auto pilot, get on the ground and ensure that government resources are not going to waste, rather than avoiding the Lundazi scorching sun in the field by swinging on chairs in air conditioned offices.
Phiri is currently on tour in Eastern Province, to inspect the progress of the cash for work programme since it’s implementation this month.
Unfortunately for the Lundazi Council, even Chief Kapichila of the Chewa Speaking people in Lundazi District bemoaned the lack of supervision by the local authority during a visit by the PS at his palace yesterday.
Also present was Lundazi District Commissioner, Majory Banda and Council Chairperson, Golden Tembo.
He said despite the works being implemented in the area and the locals benefitting, there is zero supervision from the council making it hard for the program to progress effectively.
“After the 10 days of work, it is difficult to progress because the council through the ward development committee have not put up a flexible continuation system to advance works. Also, it’s like the people that have been placed to supervise lack both interest and understanding in the project, which is a pity because once used well, this initiative will help the community,” shared the Chief.
By Buumba Mwitumwa in Lundazi
Kalemba September 26, 2024
