MINISTER of Local Government and Rural Development Gary Nkombo has announced that the Treasury has released K805 million of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for the first quarter of this year.

According to a statement issued by Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development public relations officer Chila Namaiko, Wednesday, Nkombo stated that the 156 Constituencies would receive K5.1 million.

He stated that the funds were earmarked for various community projects, youth and women empowerment for the first quarter of this year.

“The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Honourable Gary Nkombo, MP, wishes to inform the nation that the Treasury has today, March 30, 2022, released a total of K805 million of the Constituency Development Fund-CDF. This amount, which is for the first quarter of this year, will be shared among all the 156 Constituencies countrywide. Mr Nkombo stated that the funds released are earmarked for various community projects, youth and women empowerment for the first quarter of this year. He said, of the K805 million released, each Constituency will receive K5.1 million for the first quarter to enable them implement various developmental projects. The Minister has since implored all Local Authorities countrywide to be mindful of the cost of goods and services as they implement projects,” the statement read.

Nkombo implored all Local Authorities to expedite the process of finalising the identified projects that needed to be funded to ensure smooth works.

He further announced that the Ministry had disbursed the remaining funds amounting to K99,268,342 for bursaries for secondary schools as well as skills training, for the first quarter of this year.

“He implored all Local Authorities to expedite the process of finalising the identified projects that need to be funded to ensure smooth works. Mr Nkombo further announced that the Ministry has today disbursed the remaining Funds amounting to K99, 268,342.47 for the bursaries for secondary schools and skills training for the first quarter of this year. ‘As a Ministry and owing to the doubts in the absorption capacity of Local Authorities and the identification of the beneficiaries, 50% was released in February this year, and today the remaining balance amounting to K99, 268,342.47 to cover the first quarter of this year of the secondary school and skills training bursaries has been released’ he stated,” read the statement.

“Mr Nkombo said, by releasing the whole amount of the secondary school and skills training bursaries, the Government has fully funded the education sector for the first quarter of this year. He urged all the beneficiaries, the applicants, the Councils, Constituency Development Fund Committees and the Ward Development Committees to make sure that they expedite the process so that all funds released are fully absorbed.”