CHITIPA-(MaraviPost)—The governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)’s Chitipa Central Constituency Member of Parliament (MP), Clement Mkumbwa has been forced to return MK3 million meant for the construction of Community Based Care Center (CBCC) in People’s Party (PP)’s legislator area which he diverted to his constituency, The Maravi Post has established.
In 2015/2016 national budget, Chitipa district council secured MK3 million from government’s social welfare department meant for the completion of Namlotha CBCC at Nkhangwa ward in the Chitipa North Constituency which belongs to PP lawmaker Dr. James Munthali.
But DPP legislator Mkumbwa used his powers wrongly by diverting the funds for a project in his constituency.
The Maravi Post’s visit to both constituencies on Thursday this week courtesy of National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust revealed that communities at Chendo which belongs to DPP Lawmaker Mkumbwa had nothing to show in readiness of the project.
Ironically, Namlotha communities which belong to PP’s legislator Munthali were fully ready having done all the necessary arrangement in mobilizing sand, bricks quarry stones.
It had to take the intervention of NICE Trust and some civil society organizations in the district empowering the affected community to demand what was meant for them.
In an exclusive interview, Hezekiel Kapangwe, Mwachifumba Village Development Committee (VDC) Chairperson at Nkhangwa ward said lawmaker Mkumbwa wanted to use the diverted funds for a political campaign at Chendo.
Kapangwe said it was disheartening to learn that the lawmaker in question did not consider the efforts made by the communitiesof Mulota by sourcing all necessary materials for the project.
“This MP isn’t fit to stand for the poor. Is it because he belongs to DPP where powers can be abused? This is uncalled for in multiparty era.
“We are happy that due to pleasure the lawmaker has been shamed and the funds are back to us. We are very grateful to NICE Trust and civil society organizations in the district for standing with us,” lauded Kapangwe.
PP’s Ward Councilor for the area, Isaac Mwepa who is also Chitipa district council chairperson said the council leaves a lot to be desired where secretariat fail to arrest ruling DPP MPs’ abuse of power.
Efforts to get to the real motive behind flouting council procedures by diverting the funds meant for another constituency project to his own, yielded nothing as DPP legislator Mkumbwa could not pick up his mobile phone on several attempts.
c has five MPs; DPP (two) and PP (three) with 10 ward councilors including PP (five), DPP (three) and UDF (two).