CDF a Success Despite Some Irregularities-Musokotwane

By Sharon Siame

Minister of Finance and National Planning SITUMBEKO MUSOKOTWANE says his Ministry is regularly undertaking audits on the Constituency Development Fund -CDF- to ensure it is properly managed.

Dr. MUSOKOTWANE says his Ministry takes action against any officer found going against Government policy regarding implementation of CDF.

He says Government is aware that there are some areas of concern regarding CDF implementation and the misappropriation of funds.

Dr. MUSOKOTWANE says it should however be noted that CDF is a huge success especially in rural areas and that areas of concern should not create an impression that the Fund is a failure.

Speaking in an interview with Znbc News in Lusaka, the Finance Minister said that the legal and regulatory hurdles have largely been resolved.

And Dr. MUSOKOTWANE said negotiations for the rehabilitation of TAZARA have advanced and that Government is looking forward to this as it will unlock a lot of economic activities.

He said Government is also pushing hard for the Lobito railway and hopes to conclude in the middle of the year.

Meanwhile, the Finance Minister has expressed confidence
that maize and mealie meal prices will stabilize this year with the anticipated bumper harvest.