Nkhotakota Council members cornered on funds for plot applicants

Nkhotakota full council members were taken aback to learn that the council secretariat had not yet refunded money to applicants of plots at abandoned aerodrome.

After it was resolved that the process of identifying the beneficiaries of the plots was not transparent and the process should start all over again, the council resolved four months ago that the secretariat should refund the money it collected from applicants.

However, the council chairperson Samson Kaziputa and director of finance John Ndalama told the council members last week that the funds were yet to be returned because the council used some funds for some of its operations.

Ndalama said after the council resolved that they return the funds, he started implementing the resolution but he did not get support from some people.

“There was resistance from some people for me to continue implementing the resolution such that due to mounting pressure I could not continue on my own. Some funds have been used in operations like council meetings.

“As a way forward, I suggest that every person who benefited from the funds should return the money,” said Ndalama.

The council members however said they never authorized the usage of the funds and it should be the sole responsibility of the secretariat to source funds and give back to the plot applicants.

Kaziputa told Malawi News Agency after the council meeting that the account balance stood at K1.6million and there was a shortfall of over K9million which they will borrow from any bank to fulfill the resolution made.-Mana