LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Human Rights Consultative Committee (HRCC) has renewed its call on President Peter Muthalika to assent to the recently passed Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Amendment Bill, warning that further delays could slow down urgently needed development projects across Malawi.
HRCC Boards Chairperson Robert Mkwezalamba, on behalf of the Human Rights Consultative Committee, a national network of 97 non-governmental organisations and civil society organasatio, HRCC said it has closely followed and actively participated in the national debate surrounding the role of Members of Parliament in the administration of CDF resources.
The Bill, which has already been passed by Parliament, is currently awaiting presidential assent.
HRCC noted that public discourse on the proposed law has been shaped by two competing narratives, with one side arguing that the Bill limits or disempowers Members of Parliament in managing CDF resources, while the other views resistance to the Bill as an attempt to safeguard public funds by reducing political interference.
According to HRCC, concerns surrounding politicisation, accountability and possible misuse of CDF resources are valid but should be treated as implementation risks rather than legal or constitutional defects.
The committee warned that rejecting or delaying assent would ultimately penalise communities that depend on CDF-funded projects.
The rights body disclosed that it has formally written to President Muthalika, urging him to consider the urgent development needs of Malawians by assenting to the Bill as passed by Parliament.
HRCC also proposed practical safeguards and implementation guidelines aimed at addressing concerns related to political manipulation, abuse or misappropriation of CDF resources.
HRCC emphasised that the proposed allocation of K5 billion per constituency is meant to address micro level development gaps, respond to locally identified priorities and complement district and national development planning frameworks.
Mkwezalamba added that assenting to the Bill would respect Parliament’s constitutional mandate and reinforce democratic governance.
The committee further argued that strengthening oversight mechanisms such as enhanced audit requirements, stricter enforcement of public finance laws, improved reporting and transparency standards, and stronger civil society and parliamentary oversight would be a more effective response to identified risks.
HRCC also noted that the Executive arm of government retains the authority to issue administrative directives to ensure harmonisation of CDF projects with District Development Plans, enhanced monitoring by relevant oversight bodies and strict adherence to public finance and accountability frameworks.
In its recommendations, HRCC called on the President to assent to the CDF Amendment Bill in its current form, ensure that the assent is accompanied by clear implementation guidance emphasising transparency and accountability and commit to a structured post assent review process to assess performance and introduce corrective measures where necessary.
Last week, Presidential Secretary Cathy Maulidi told The Maravi Post that Mutharika was reviewing the bill after the leader assented to other five bills into law.