CDF projects in limbo

SEVERAL projects initiated under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) are still to be completed with no light at the end of the tunnel since the 2014 National Budget did not allocate any resources towards the programme. A total of US$5 million was allocated towards the CDF in 2011 to fund developmental projects by lawmakers in the lower house.

Each legislator was entitled to receive US$50,000. While some of the projects were completed, others stalled due to the unavailability of funds. Some of the uncompleted projects are in limbo since some of the lawmakers who initiated them either lost the party primary elections or the July 31, 2013 polls. Unless those who succeeded the losing legislators decides to inherit them, some of the unfinished projects may fail to see the light of day.

But again, it would be difficult for some of these projects to be funded from the individual legislator’s pocket without CDF funding. A snap survey by the Financial Gazette revealed that a number of CDF projects countrywide were still to be completed. In the Midlands province, Mkoba legislator, Amos Chibaya’s dream for a library in his constituency could remain a pipeline dream as the US$50,000 allocated to him in 2011 was exhausted before he could complete the project.

While Chibaya retained his seat on a Movement for Democratic Change ticket, he does not have the resources to see through the project. “With the state of the economy, I do not see anything coming from government and therefore my library project is still to be completed,” he said.

“I am going to finish the project through funds I am sourcing from the donor community. I have approached some donors who have expressed interest in the project and I am quite confident that l will see the project through,” he added. In Zvishavane–Ngezi Constituency, still in the Midlands province, the situation could turn out to be worse.

Obert Matshalaga, who was the Member of Parliament for the constituency during the life of the inclusive government was defeated in the ZANU– PF primaries by incumbent, John Holder before he could complete some of his projects. Matshalaga said it was now the duty of the sitting legislator to see to it that the projects are completed.

“I am no longer the MP so you should speak to the current MP and he should give you answers to what you are asking me,” Matshalaga said. Elsewhere, the fate of many CDF-sponsored projects hangs in the balance. In the eastern border province of Manicaland, signs on the ground indicate that very few legislators fully utilised their CDF funds. It also emerged that the fund was heavily abused through the inflating of invoices.

In Masvingo, most of the CDF money was used to spruce up schools and there were few income generating projects initiated. Reports indicate that some of the MPs put the money to personal use and initiated a few cheaper projects ― like painting school blocks and buying chairs ― as a cover up. Those who won in last year’s harmonised elections are also being accused of ignoring projects initiated by their predecessors as they did not want to hijack “someone else’s initiative”. As a result, some of the projects have crumbled.

In Bulawayo, former Magwegwe legislator, Felix Magalela-Mafa, is disappointed with community’s lack of appreciation of the CDF projects which he said were lying idle and not being utilised. Former MP for Mangwe constituency in Matabeleland South, Edward Mukhosi, said while CDF funds under his care had partly financed projects identified and recommended by the community, he was disappointed that some of them stood unfinished.

He said the money covered the projects halfway and the communities needed to chip in to complete them. For example, a community hall in Empandeni is still to be roofed after villagers failed to raise funds for its completion.

Victoria Falls Agenda secretary, Thulani Moyo, said MPs should continue to maintain and sustain CDF projects even though they were not the ones who initiated them. Controversy had hung over the projects following reports that some legislators had misappropriated the funds for personal gain. An audit by the then ministry of constitutional and parliamentary affairs fingered a number of legislators as having misappropriated the CDF funds, but no action was taken against them.