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{
    "id": 250756,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/250756/?format=api",
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    "content": "programmes for the last two or so years that it has been in existence. As we move to seek amendments to the CDF Act, we must actually move with some bit of caution. We know these amendments are very important, especially the increase of the amount. While we seek the increase, we must look at the capacities of the various constituency committees in managing these funds. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the achievements made by the various constituencies have been attained under very difficult conditions. The involvement of the so-called District Development Officers (DDOs) and District Accountants (DAs) have in one way or the other, hampered the speedy implementation of projects in very many constituencies. If the bureaucracies experienced at the District Treasuries are not checked, the CDF achievements could start taking a nosedive even as we try to increase the Fund. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the DDOs have been very selective in the manner in which they approve projects for constituencies in given districts. You will find that a constituency that does not bend to the wishes of the DDO will normally go through a lot of frustrations even where a project proposal has been made to the National Management Committee and approval has been given and funding availed. But the DDO will try all manner of ways to frustrate those constituencies that do not succumb to their demands. This is an area where, as we seek to amend the CDF Act, we should try and decrease the level of participation of the District Treasury in issues of CDF. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, there is the bursary element that we have been handling through the CDF. I think we should harmonise that with the one being handled by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology by having all bursaries under the CDF or we remove it altogether from CDF, so that anybody seeking bursary can go to the DEO's office. This should be the same with university loans. In some cases, the CDF committees have had to disburse bursary funds to university students who turn out to have been given enough money through the Higher Loans Education Board (HELB). There is no mechanism at the CDF level of ascertaining whether a particular student has benefited from the HELB or not. So, these are the issues that we should address in the amendments so that we have clear guidelines. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would also like to talk about the aspect of poverty within the CDF. One of the core goals of CDF was actually to deal with poverty. But when you look at the regulations guiding CDF, there is very little that touches on poverty programmes within the constituencies. Maybe, as we try to amend and broaden the areas to be covered by the CDF, we should also look at areas that touch on poverty so that they are allowed to be funded through the CDF programmes. With those remarks, I beg to support."
}