Chirundu District Commissioner, Patrick Kasambila says there is need to strengthen the monitoring and evaluation of the expanded Constituency Development Fund (CDF) implementation.

Mr Kasambila says this is key in ensuring that there is value for money in the execution of the budget.

He said President Hakainde Hichilema has put premium on the implementation of the expanded CDF and other developmental projects across the country aimed at improving the social and economic welfare of Zambians.

Mr Kasambila who is also District Development Coordinating (DDCC) Committee Chairperson has commended Chirundu Town Council for successfully implementing the 2023 expanded CDF which will also accelerate the implementation of the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP).

ZANIS reports that the DC said this during the official opening of the 2023 fourth quarter of the District Development Coordinating Committee meeting in Chirundu.

Mr Kasambila explained that CDF projects are clearly visible in key sectors of health, education, road infrastructure, empowerment, water supply and sanitation among many others.

He further praised the local authority for using the CDF projects to empower youths with loans, grants and skills development while pupils have also benefited through the secondary boarding school bursaries.

Speaking at the same meeting, Chirundu Town Council (CTC) Secretary, Embassy Cheembo said the local authority will enhance the monitoring and evaluation in the implementation of the expanded Constituency Development Fund (CDF) as guided by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

Mr Cheembo, who is also Chirundu District Development Coordinating (DDCC) Co-chairperson, said the local authority has formed a Joint M&E to ensure that financial resources allocated to new, ongoing developmental projects and those that will be rehabilitated are captured.