The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) in collaboration with Smart Zambia Institute, and other stakeholders, have introduced the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Management Information System (CDF-MIS).
The CDF-MIS system is aimed at making the processes of CDF application, approval, monitoring and evaluation be done at a click of a button in real-time. This programme would first be piloted in 20 Districts out of the 116 Districts countrywide.
- According to an assessment conducted by the Ministry, so far, the absorption of funds under the CDF countywide had increased to 56.9% this year from 40% in 2022. This is attributed to the decentralised system.
- Further, the rearrangement of CDF approval system from the central Government to provinces and decentralised clearance of funds from the Secretary to the Treasury to directors from finance at provincial and Council levels, had resulted in an increase in the burn-rate (money spent) by 16.9%.
- MLGRD Permanent Secretary in charge of Technical Services, Mr. Nicholas Phiri stated that the Government would like to see the burn-rate increase to 98% by the year 2025.
The Permanent Secretary was speaking when he officiated at the opening of CDF-MIS validation workshop, on Wednesday, 20th December, 2023, in Lusaka.
The workshop is being attended by officers from the following Local Authorities; -Lusaka City Council, Kasama, Mpulungu, Chinsali, Mazabuka, Mongu, Limulunga, Petauke, Luangwa, Mkushi, Ndola, Solwezi, Kanchibiya and Mansa.
Meanwhile, speaking at the same occasion, Smart-Zambia Institute National Coordinator, Mr. Percy Chinyama disclosed that the first-ever non-cash payment system for Local Authorities will soon be launched in Kazungula District.
Below is a variety of pictures during the official opening of the workshop by the Permanent Secretary Mr. Nicholas Phiri and Smart-Zambia Institute National Coordinator, Mr. Percy Chinyama.
