• The vehicles are not a priority at all considering that not many CDF projects have been funded.
• Government must build capacities of local structures like Ward Development Committees and allow them to monitor the projects.
• Government must use the same money and empower youths who are protesting.
Civil Society for Poverty Reduction (CSPR) says the purchase of 156 land cruisers by Ministry of Local Government amounting to US$ 8, 313, 084 using Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is not a priority at the moment.
Speaking in an interview, Organization Board Member Partner Siyabutuba wonders what the said vehicles will be monitoring considering that not many CDF projects have been funded so far.
Mr. Siyabutuba stated that government can use the same money and empower youths who are protesting and give them empowerment, instead of buying vehicles.
He urged government to build capacities of local structures like Ward Development Committees and allow them monitor CDF projects, for decentralization to work.
“The vehicles are not a priority at all considering that not many CDF projects have been funded. What will these vehicles be monitoring? Instead of buying vehicles, can government use the same money and empower youths who are protesting and give them empowerment,” Mr. Siyabutuba stated.
Mr. Siyabutuba added that once this is done, there will be no need to have a vehicle per constituency as one vehicle per district designated for CDF project monitoring will be enough.
“If decentralization is going to work, let’s build capacities of local structures like Ward Development Committees and allow them monitor these projects. If this is done, you don’t need a vehicle per constituency, one vehicle per district designated for CDF project monitoring will do. This is prudence as opposed to having the luxury of having an expensive land cruiser per constituency,” he added.
Early this week, Local Government Permanent Secretary for Administration, Mambo Hamaundu clarified that the purchase of 156 Toyota Land cruisers amounting to US$ 8, 313, 084 is in accordance with the CDF Guidelines, contrary to social media reports that Minister in charge, Garry Nkombo is involved in corruption in the purchase of the vehicles for Constituencies using CDF.
