By Esther Banda
SALIMA-(MaraviPost)-People in the area of Traditional Authorities Ndindi and Chipoka in Salima South Constituency through their Area Development Committee (ADC) are demanding presence of their parliamentarian Christopher Manja at their meetings.
This was raised by ADC members during an interface meeting with Salima District Council officials convened by the Malawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN) in collaboration with IM Swedish Development Partner on Thursday.
Ndindi ADC Vice Secretary Samson Dozen claimed that communities work are in disarray due to perpetual absence of the Member of Parliament and Ndindi Ward Councilor Jackson Zibu Chifumbi during their development meetings.
Dozen further claimed that ADC chairperson has never signed any Constituency Development Fund (CDF) form nor was he consulted before implementing any development activities.
Recalls Dozen, “Each time we invite our MP to ADC meetings so that people can raise development projects of their choice, he always cites Covid-19 as an excuse not to travel to the constituency to avoid the meeting.”
“Imagine our chairperson has never signed any Constituency Development Fund- CDF form {since election in May 2019} which is very shocking to us. This means there is someone who signs the forms on behalf for Ndindi ADC,” wondered Dozen.
“As a result of the lack of consultation, development activities being delivered here are not actually the ones people want on the ground. That is why we are now demanding presence of our MP Manja and Councilor Chifumbi in our ADC meetings so that they can accordingly be addressing our development needs,” added Dozen.
Another Ndindi ADC executive member, who is also Health Chairperson and representative of people with disabilities, Asifu Yasin bemoaned some politicians’ behavior.
“It’s indeed the behavior of some politicians to threaten people when they are speaking the truth. Some political leaders oppress their people but we will not be shaken. The teachings by MEJN have given us courage. We are all strong people and we know we have the right to know everything as a committee,” said Yasin.
He added, “It’s indeed our plea that our MP and Ndindi Ward Councilor Chifumbi must start to attend our meetings to make sure that they are taking our issues to the council and parliament.”
Salima District Council Chairperson Councilor Esther Kaunda Soko refused to comment until she hears from lawmaker Manja and Councilor Chifumbi.
“We should agree that there is a misunderstanding between the people and their elected leaders. But I will not comment much because I have only heard from one side, this is so because the MP Hon. Manja and Councilor Chifumbi were not available. So we have to talk to them first. It’s our promise that we will surely come back with a positive feedback,” she said.
MEJN Southern Regional Coordinator Mike Marvin Banda said the meeting was an eye opener on how local authorities are disappointing constituents.
“It’s good that we had a field visit so that we appreciate the reports that we were normally getting concerning some elected leaders and the district council. So we have seen for ourselves and we will continue to engage both parties to enhance socio-economic development,” says Banda.
Both Salima South MP Manja and Ndindi Councilor Chifumbi were not available for their comments on concerns raised by Ndindi ADC.
