Permanent Secretary for Special Duties at Cabinet Office, Patrick Mucheleka has warned district Commissioners against shielding non performing councils across the country.
Mr Mucheleka said government increased the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to spur social and economic development in all areas of the country without leaving anyone behind.
He has urged all councils to implement projects as intended under the fund.
Mr Mucheleka has since advised district Commissioners not to shield councils that have poorly performed, especially in 2024, stating that failure to expose such trends would derail the government agenda of using the funds to spearhead development.
ZANIS reports that Mr Mucheleka said this when he featured on a radio programme at Lwansase Community Radio in Luwingu District in Northern Province.
“CDF is meant to not only improve people’s lives through grants and loans, but also to improve social amenities, including in the most rural areas and as such all councils need to perform if we are to realise that,” Mr Mucheleka said.
The warning follows Lupososhi District Commissioner Simon Mwenya’s failure to explain CDF projects that were implemented in the district last year.
Mr Muchileka has since taken to task Lupososhi District Commissioner for failure to account for what projects the council implemented.
“In 2024 you had no projects commissioned, but you are here telling me that everything is okay. Stop shielding non performing councils just because you are found with them. You are the eyes of the President, and if you cannot expose their failures, it means you are betraying this government,” he warned.
He has since urged district commissioners across the country to be firm and represent the government effectively, adding that the cabinet has approved an act to allow district Commissioners to be part of the CDF committee.
“We know that you are surrounded by people with questionable characters with regards to CDF funds, but if you cannot confront them now, what more when you are placed in the CDF committees?” he asked.
Last year Lupososhi District only commissioned a one by two-classroom block and a school staff house.
