Gulf between MPs, councilors worrying Mchinji chiefs

Chiefs in Mchinji district have blamed the poor relationship between Members of Parliament (MPs) and Ward Councilors saying it has led to delayed progress of different developmental projects in different areas across the district.

Sub Traditional Authority Nyoka said Mchinji is one of the worst districts where relationship between MPs and Councilors is very poor adding MPs do not involve ward councilors in different development projects fearing that councilors will pocket the money meant for the projects.

Nyoka made the remarks in Mchinji on Thursday at a one-day interface meeting organized by National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust to orient the MPs and councilors on their respective roles.

“The poor relationship between MPs and Councilors has led to delays in progress of development projects in the district.  I have been handling these cases, MPs fear that Councilors will pocket the development fund like Constituency Funds and some MPs think that councilors will at one point get their positions hence not involving them in development activities,” he said.

MP for Mchinji Southwest Deusi Gumba said cordial relationship between the MPs and councilors was key to development of the district.

He commended NICE for bringing together MPs, councilors and chiefs describing the interface meeting as a reminder to the duty bearers on the roles and responsibilities they have to the society.

“The meeting which NICE has organized will help us as leaders to know our responsibilities and roles and that communities demand accountability,” Gumba said.

Central Region Civic Education Officer for NICE Christopher Naphiyo said the meeting was meant to bring together the three groups so that they can interact and get to know each other more so that they can share views on development issues.

“We think that this meeting can be a healing to the problem of poor working relationship among duty bearers,” he said.