Kasama, Zambia – The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Gift Sialubalo, MP, has directed the immediate realignment of the Kasama Municipal Council following a monitoring tour that exposed serious concerns regarding the implementation of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects in Kasama Central Constituency.
Hon. Sialubalo, who toured several project sites, expressed deep dissatisfaction with the quality of infrastructure and services delivered under the CDF programme. He cited poor workmanship, inflated costs, and a lack of proper supervision as critical failures that risk derailing the government’s decentralisation agenda.
“I am extremely disappointed with the quality of some of the projects being implemented under the CDF in Kasama,” the Minister stated. “It is clear that there are serious lapses in supervision and accountability. Some projects are not only overpriced but have also been poorly executed. This is a disservice to the people of Kasama.”
The Constituency Development Fund, a cornerstone of Zambia’s decentralisation policy, is designed to empower local communities by financing projects that address grassroots needs. The government has significantly increased CDF allocations in recent years to promote inclusive development and strengthen service delivery.
However, Hon. Sialubalo warned that such efforts risk being undermined if local authorities fail to manage the funds effectively. “The people of Kasama deserve better. Public funds must be used responsibly and must bring about tangible improvements in people’s lives. We cannot afford to allow inefficiencies or mismanagement to undermine this important programme,” he said.
The Minister announced that the performance of the Kasama Municipal Council will be reviewed as a matter of urgency, and that corrective actions will be implemented to restore integrity and efficiency in CDF project execution. Officers found to be negligent or complicit in poor project delivery will be held accountable according to established government procedures.
He further called on local leaders and community members to become more actively involved in monitoring development activities. “Ward Development Committees, councillors, and residents must work together to ensure transparency. Community involvement is essential for achieving meaningful and sustainable development outcomes,” Hon. Sialubalo emphasized.
The directive comes amid growing public scrutiny of CDF implementation across the country. Analysts and civil society groups have long called for tighter oversight and enhanced transparency in how CDF resources are spent at the local level.
As the government pushes forward with its decentralisation reforms, this latest move signals a zero-tolerance approach to mismanagement and reinforces the administration’s commitment to delivering value for money in public service delivery.