GOVERNMENT has implemented 246 out of the targeted 308 Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects in Central province that were approved last year.

Central Province Permanent Secretary Milner Mwanakampwe says the significant increase of 2024 CDF allocation has accelerated development in the region.

In an interview with ZANIS, Dr Mwanakampwe indicated that government has also drilled 933 boreholes to improve the provision of clean and safe water to the people in the province.

“In 2024, the government implemented 246 community projects in Central Province, representing 80 percent in terms of implementation,” Dr Mwanakampwe said.

The Permanent Secretary has directed local authorities in the province to ensure that all the projects that were approved in 2024 are actualised.

He said all procurement processes should be finalised so that the projects are implemented for the benefit of the people.

Dr Mwanakampwe warned that the provincial administration will not entertain delays in the implementation of CDF projects in the province.

“There is need for all the Councils in the province to speed up the implementation of all projects that were approved in 2024,” Dr Mwanakampwe said.

He said it is President Hakainde Hichilema’s desire to see the CDF benefiting local communities in line with the country’s Decentralisation Policy and the Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP).

Meanwhile, Government has equipped a number of Grade 7 and Grade 9 school drop-outs in Ngabwe District with survival skills using the CDF’s Skills Development component.

This is to enable them to benefit from various projects in the education and health sectors, said the Permanent Secretary.

He said the youths have since started benefiting from construction contracts in the district.

“CDF is a game changer in the province. Even the people of valley areas such as Ngabwe are benefiting from various contractual jobs being offered by the Government through Councils,” he said.

Government has this year increased CDF allocation from K1.6 million to K36.1 million to foster national development.