THE Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) says it has joined government’s efforts to ensure that all stakeholders involved in disbursement, utilisation, accountability and management of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) are sensitised.

And ACC says it’s aware that some people, and in some cases, public officers are selling CDF application forms and demanding for unregulated amounts of money from unsuspecting members of the public for registration of cooperatives, associations and clubs.

In a statement, Thursday, ACC spokesperson Queen Chibwe said over 600 participants had so far been sensitised during workshops which were conducted from March 28 to April 5, 2022.

“The Anti-Corruption Commission has joined government efforts to ensure that all stakeholders involved in the disbursement, utilisation, accountability and management of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) are sensitised. The Commission in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development participated in raising awareness to all Provincial Permanent Secretaries, Provincial Local Government Officers, Heads of Government Departments, Management Staff of Local Authorities, Constituency Development Fund Committee members and Ward Development Ward Committee Chairpersons during sensitisation workshops held recently,” she stated.

“Over 600 participants have so far been sensitised during workshops which were conducted virtually from 28th March to 5th April 2022. Other institutions that are part of the sensitisation team include Ministry of Finance, Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA), Local Government Association of Zambia (LGAZ), Chalimbana Local Government Training Institute (CLGTI), Decentralisation Secretariat, Lusaka City Council and Zambia National Information Service (ZANIS).”

And Chibwe said the Commission was also aware of some incidents of suspected acts of corruption in which some people were selling CDF application forms.

“The Commission is also aware of some incidences of suspected acts of corruption in which some people, and in some cases, public officers are selling CDF application forms and demanding for unregulated amounts of money from unsuspecting members of the public for registration of cooperatives, associations and clubs. We would like to warn such culprits that they will be dealt with accordingly and the law will take its course. The Commission will continue engaging local communities in districts, wards and Zones to raise awareness on the processes and procedures involved in order for them to access the fund and utilise it in accordance with the provisions spelt out in the CDF guidelines,” stated Chibwe.

“The Commission believes that enhancing education and awareness on the management and utilisation of CDF will facilitate the delivery of goods and services to local communities in a transparent and accountable manner. The Commission would like to call upon all districts and local authorities in the country to involve officers of the Commission in sensitisation and prevention mechanisms in the disbursement, utilisation and management of the CDF.”