MP Njikho under fire over Constituency Development Fund in Mzuzu City
Youth activists in Mzuzu have described as shoddy a decision by Mzuzu City legislator Leornard Njikho of re-allocating funds that were meant for the rehabilitation of the Msongwe and Zolozolo Health Centres under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
The activists – Nyozomo Gondwe (Ex-Mzuni Student Union President), Charles Kajoloweka (Executive Director, Youth and Society), Tiyane Nyirenda (African Enterprise Mission) and Mandewa Lungu (Social Commentator), speaking on a programme aired live on the Voice of Livingstonia (VoL), took their turns lambasting Njikho for the move saying the act was unfortunate in Malawi’s present democratic dispensation.
According to information gathered by Nyasa Times, about K4 million was allocated towards the renovation of dilapidated Zolozolo and Msongwe Health Centres but a decision – after a brief meeting between Njikho and Mzuzu Mayor His Worship Mkandawire – was reached that the money go towards the roofing of a primary school in Mchengautuba which had been damaged by a storm early this month.
“The Mchengautuba incident was a disaster and as such was supposed to be treated as such,” said Kajoloweka. “It would have been covered up by the Disaster and Preparedness package.”
In Malawi, about half of the money allocated for projects is diverted or misappropriated altogether, a study published by independent non-governmental watch dog revealed recently.
“That’s why we need a proper structure in place that will not only monitor our MP [Njikho], but also all other MPs in the country,” opined Gondwe. “With that, MPs in the country will no longer regard constituencies as personal estates.”
According to Gondwe, MPs in the country must learn to develop self fiscal discipline.
“They are the ones that plunder resources at a national level when appointed to ministerial positions,” he said.
Njikho could not answer his mobile phone several times his number was called.
Also in attendance at the panel discussion, funded by the National Democratic Institute (NDI), was Dan Msowoya – former Alliance for Democracy (Aford) – who urged parliamentarians in the country to forget politics and focus on providing meaningful insights that can help towards developing the nation.
It seems people have a personal Vendetta against Charles-a common thing among failures in Malawi, Hey gentlemen we are in a democracy and consultation is the key to the DEMOCRATIC PROCESS!
It seems people have a personal Vandetta with Charles-a common thing among failures in Malawi, Hey gentlemen we are in a democracy and consultation is the key to the DEMOCRATIC PROCESS!
Uncle Josy and the Mayor goofed big time here. They never consulted Councilors on the relocation of resources. The MP is being misled by his Campaign-time advisors including Mr. Spencer who thinks he knows it all. Uncle Josy must be careful if he is to survive a number of foolish scandals. The activists are right. The resources spent on the school were meant for the clinics. Thus a point ! They are simply reminding the MP and the clueless youthful councilor to be accountable on the decisions made on behalf of the majority.
Kajoloweka-kiss mabondo!!! LDF is controlled by MPs and in consultation with ward councilors; in this case Mayor; paja mulibe office; m office we prioritize; its rainy season now; do you reckon it is good idea to renovate Zolozolo clinic(yomwe mumakanyelako madzulo) than helping the kids get a good shelter? for your information Zolozolo clinic is under Mzimba North District Hospital and they will/ and are supposed to source funds themselves after all; K4m sikandalama kokwana; Charles Kajoloweka ndalama za Tilitonse mwafuntha nazo eti, mukugundila ku Moni Lodge ku Chimaliro, mwayamba viwawa; kiss mabondo shatapu
Inu why hide you are not youth but malova iwe Kajolweka ndi mzakoyo please learn how CDF works and see if the MP was wrong. Let me warn you the so called youths to properly know how LDF works . Dan Msowoya the useless so called politician
there is something wrong with this story? the writer did not make an effort to find out how the CDF works? does an MP have unilateral powers to move the money around as he or she wants? or many be the pannelists themselves do not know? Its not fair to rush to blaming someone when one is ignorant of short of facts.
bola uyu wangopanga re~allocate si alomwe anatenga za Nac kukapangira pwando.
choncho mkumat tikufuna federalism, zdzaenda? mbwenumbwenu nyan wamunthu
thumps up MP& Mayor. First things first. Bravo.
I feel both projects are of equal importance. Education and Health are all rights according to the Declared charter of 1948 to which Malawi is a signatory . However,the Disaster Risk Preparedness Fund should do its job as well.
I like the way the youth have taken their challenge to take to task the legislature inMzuzu. If all youths in Malawi followed suit , crime would reduce heavily. This is a different age. Education is the key, it opens up one’s eyes to claim for their inherent rights which are not man-given , but God-given.