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{
"id": 192624,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/192624/?format=api",
"text_counter": 93,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mr. Oparanya",
"speaker_title": "The Minister of State for Planning, National Development and Vision 2030",
"speaker": {
"id": 201,
"legal_name": "Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya",
"slug": "wycliffe-oparanya"
},
"content": " Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to issue a Ministerial Statement on the Constituencies Development Fund (CDF). Following the amendment of the CDF Act, 2003, the CDF programme was moved from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Planning, National Development and Vision 2030. As the 1324 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES June 24, 2008 Minister of State for Planning, National Development and Vision 2030, therefore, I am mandated to ensure that CDF programmes run smoothly. In this regard, I wish to clarify a number of issues regarding the delay of release of the CDF funds and hon. Members' concerns as follows. (i) The delay in the release of the 2007/2008 CDF funds was occasioned by the post- election crisis, which slowed down operations in Government for three months. Attention was diverted towards solving the crisis, particulary addressing issues of IDPs, and other normal Government business was affected. (ii) As a result of the post-election crisis, the formation of a new Government was delayed, hence the appointment of the Minister in charge of Planning, National Development and Vision 2030 was equally delayed. (iii) The CDF (Amendment) Act 2007 provides for the formation of a CDF Board to replace the National Management Committee (NMC), which wound up its work in January, 2008. Formation of the CDF Board was delayed until 24th April, 2008, after I was appointed the Minister on 13th April, 2008. The CDF Board has also been inducted on CDF activities, which was done from 22nd May, 2008 to 24th May, 2008 in Mombasa. (iv) The Treasury has not released the balance of Kshs7.6 billion. The Ministry of Finance has promised to release the entire balance by Friday, 27th June, 2008. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to report that this morning I was called by the Ministry of Finance. They said they have now released Kshs8 billion. The balance of Kshs4.6 billion will be released on Friday, 27th June, 2008. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the 2007/2008 CDF funds of Kshs2.4 billion have been released as follows: A total of 37 constituencies have got 50 per cent; 130 constituencies have got 25 per cent and 43 constituencies have not received any allocation. Out of the 43 constituencies, 34 have given their project proposals, which the Board approved last week on Friday. But nine of them have not submitted their proposals. Therefore, they cannot benefit from the amount. Mr. Speaker, Sir, for the year 2006/2007, four constituencies have, up to date, not requisitioned for funding. Hon. Members should note that, in addition to submitting the second and third schedule as per the Act, constituencies are reminded to submit their requisition forms which are usually signed by the Treasury, the Treasurer and the Chairman to enable the Board to approve the transfer of the money. As part of the measure to enhance the Constituencies Development Fund (CDF) delivery capacity, the Ministry has already recruited, inducted and posted 100 District Development Officers (DDOs) to all the districts in the country. The other measures that I have taken to ensure smooth running of the CDF are as follows:- I have emphasised computerization and linking of all constituency offices to the headquarters to provide, among other things, electronic submission of constituency information. That has to be undertaken by the CDF Board. I will also request that there is an amendment of the Act to ensure efficiency of transfer of funds to the Ministry, so that we can transfer the same money to the constituencies. I have already started strengthening the CDF sub-national structures through training for capacity to improve the absorption rate. As at the moment, we had about Kshs3 billion in the bank account. Mr. Speaker, Sir, that is what I had for today. Thank you very much!"
}