Promoting Transparency and Accountability Workshop 2 - 3 December, 2013

Today we will commence our Workshop on ‘Promoting Transparency and Accountability in the Utilisation of Community Resources‘. The Workshop organized by Common Cause Zambia is bringing together government officials, councilors, CDF committee Members, Civil Society Organisation representatives, community based organisations, Farmers Unions, Faith based organisations and community members from Mazabuka, Magoye and surrounding districts to deliberate on the role of citizens in tracking public resources specifically the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

The Workshop provides a platform for dialogue between the custodians of the CDF and civil society to collaboratively understand how the CDF is disbursed and utilized. It is hoped that, by the end of the workshop that participants will be able to contribute to their community development efforts.

The Constituency Development Fund (CDF) was approved by Parliament in 1995 to finance Micro-community projects for Poverty reduction.

Common Cause Zambia Programs Manager

As part of their annual capital programme, each Council is mandated to include Constituency Development Funds for community based projects in the Capital Budgets. 

The Council according to the CDF guidelines of December 2006 is required to account for the funds in accordance with the law. In terms of the structures to be involved at Constituency level in the administering of CDF, The Constituency Development Committee (CDC) is mandated to receive project proposals from sub-district development structures such as Area Development Committees (ADCs), Resident Development Committees (RDCs) and representatives of stakeholders from the townships on behalf of communities as the case may be and refer to the planning Sub Committee of the District.[1] Each constituency is allotted K130 thousand Kwacha.

By providing a multi stakeholder engagement process, Common Cause Zambia is  expecting

Participants Review Agenda at the workshop

to have mutually supportive action across sectors and that transparency and accountability will prevail in the CDF process. It is also expected that the training and public discussions will facilitate an increase in civic awareness among the target beneficiaries on their civic duties and rights in observing the use of public resources at community level.  Further, participants will be Provided with necessary tools to effectively promote dialogue and interaction among communities, civil society organizations ( CSO), local councillors, traditional leaders and political parties in checking and observing the use of Constituency Development Funds.

This meeting is the second in our ‘Promoting Transparency and Accountability in the Utilisation of Community Resources ‘Series; the first was held on the Copperbelt in October, 2013.

Common Cause Zambia’s work is generously supported Hivos, Electoral Institute for the Sustainability of Democracy in Africa and Gender Based Violence Prevention Network.

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[1] Revised guidelines on the management and Utilisation of the Constituency Development Fund, December 2006

Common Cause Zambia joins Activists across Africa & Call to Revolutionize Power Dynamics in Intimate Relationships

Lusaka, 25^th November, 2013 - Common Cause Zambia joins human rights activists and community members from across Africa to ignite awareness and action around power imbalances between women and men a core driver of violence against women (VAW) and HIV from November 25^th- December 10^th as part of this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Violence against Women.

The 16 Days of Activism against Violence against Women Campaign is an annual global event that calls for collective action worldwide to prevent violence against women. It spans significant dates including the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (November 25^th), World AIDS Day (December 1^st), and Human Rights Day (December 10^th). These dates were selected to symbolically link violence against women to escalating HIV infection rates and human rights abuses. Over the 16-day period, hundreds of organizations in Africa who are members of the GBV Prevention Network will engage their communities under the regional theme Power! We all have it. How are you using yours?

The theme highlights that violence against women occurs because of the power imbalance between women and men; this power dynamic is rooted in our social norms that sanction men’s control over women’s bodies, minds, and behaviors, leading to all forms of violence against women. Transforming how we use our power can help us to change this reality to builder stronger relationships and stronger communities.

 “We all should work towards deconstructing patriarchal values, beliefs and norms, while embracing the use of positive cultural norms to prevent violence against women and girls, and promote peaceful families and communities, in conformity with international and regional human rights standards”. Jennet Kem, Manager, Africa UNiTE Campaign to End Violence Against Women and Girls

With activities like social media “storms,” dramas, interactive exercises, lobby meetings, panel discussions, radio and TV talk shows, newspaper articles, public marches, rallies, vigils, SMS campaigns and so many others, activists from member organizations and millions of community members around the region will challenge common societal beliefs. They will inspire us to think differently about how we use power in our own intimate relationships, taking action to create social change that starts with ourselves. Activists will also lobby legislators and policy makers to improve national VAW legislation, and provide adequate budgets for implementation.  The campaign will culminate in a call for equality between women and men in relationships, communities, and institutions on Human Rights Day (10^th December).

It is expected that the deliberate and intense activity over this period will create a groundswell of movement across the region. When individuals first feel their own sense of power, and recognize how they use it positively or negatively, then social change is possible. Power! We all have it. How are you using yours?

Common Cause Zambia 

Email: info@commoncausezambia.org   Website: www.commoncausezambia.org

AFRICA INVESTMENT-Small Zambia cash grants pay big dividends for rural poor

This is an interesting report by Reuters, check it out.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/11/19/africa-investment-idUSL5N0J20Q520131119

CDF Project Blues - Matero Constituency

Matero MP Miles Sampa

What should a Member of Parliament do when the people he serves won't let him work? At Common Cause Zambia, we are concerned with the developments in Matero where a resident has commenced the construction of a house on a road next to the Desai Bridge, a CDF project.

we are also concern that the Lusaka City Council (LCC) allowed the construction of the house in question to go on knowing very well that the house was being constructed on the road.

The question is, where is the LCC planning Unit? What about the Councillor and the MP himself, where they not aware of this development since they are part of the council?

Who gave the resident in question the power to start constructing the 'illegal' house?

Below is a tweet from Matero Member of Parliament Miles Sampa and the picture of the project.

"Desai Bridge CDF project, but only to find someone 'smart' decided to start building a house On the road. What to do? MS 16.11.13."

Desai Bridge in Matero

Col Chanda says he can be killed if he visits Chibolya

Kanyama Member of Parliament Colonel Gerry Chanda says he cannot go to Chibolya for fear of being killed. This is very disturbing. If an MP is scared of the people he represents, who is going to stand for them? What does this say about the security situation in Zambia, Lusaka in particular.

Below is a link to Col Chanda's interview with Luchi.

 http://audioboo.fm/boos/1720943#t=0m0s

HH ON CORRUPTION ASSOCIATED WITH UREA FERTILIZER PROCUREMENT FROM SAUDI ARABIA

We are watching this closely at CCZ...

7th November, 2013

The Director General,
Anti Corruption Commission
Lusaka

Dear Madam,

RE: CORRUPTION ASSOCIATED WITH UREA FERTILIZER PROCUREMENT FROM SAUDI ARABIA

We write to make a formal complaint on the irregularities with the procurement, by the Ministry of Finance, of 50,000 tonnes of Urea Fertilizer from Saudi Arabia.

This procurement was single sourced (without open tenders) and there appears to be over payment for the fertilizer. (Page 2&3 of the attached document provides details) [Press Statement for 31st October 2013]

In our view, the above conduct constitutes corruption. It is a clear waste of public resources and possible theft. Upon receipt of this complaint and as provided for in the Anti Corruption Act, we expect your office to commence the process of formal investigations in this act of corruption.

Yours faithfully,

Hakainde Hichilema
PRESIDENT

___________________________

President Sata On Constitution Making Process

STATE HOUSE

LUSAKA

THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA

Media Statement

For Immediate Release

 

PRESIDENT SATA ON THE CONSTITUTION- MAKING PROCESS

LUSAKA, Thursday, November 7, 2013 – His Excellency, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, President of the Republic of Zambia, has dismissed assertions by some sections within the Civil Society Organisations [CSOs] that he has already received the draft Constitution.

The Head of State said like everybody else he is eager to see the contents of the draft Constitution. 

“...hopefully when the process is completed, those charged with the responsibility to supervise this process will accordingly hand over the draft Constitution,” President Sata said.

President Sata reaffirmed his Government’s commitment to dialogue with various well-meaning stakeholders on key national issues.

Issued by:

GEORGE CHELLAH

SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT

PRESS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS

Mufumbwe DC frustrates K FM CDF proposal

By MISA Zambia

Mufumbwe District Commissioner Emma Mukokwe has directed Mufumbwe District Council not to release the Kr 100, 000 from the Constituency Development Funds approved for K FM to buy a transmitter and extend the radio signal coverage to the entire district.

The directive was made when Ms Mukokwe held a meeting at her office between the K FM delegation and the Mufumbwe District Council yesterday.

According to the DC, who is not even a member of the Community Development Committee (CDC), the people of Mufumbwe were expecting the radio station to construct an office block and to buy a transmitter from the Kr 100, 000.

K FM‘s station Manager and Board Chairperson Nyambe Muyumbana and Paul Kyambakuka respectively, labored in vein to explain that the Kr 100, 000 was too little to do both construction of an office block and buy a transmitter.

They explained that K FM’s proposal to the CDC clearly stated that their intentions were to extend the radio signal to Mufumbwe and aDC wanted the construction of an office block by K FM, she should have advocated for the increase in funding.

According to Circular MLGH/102/28/1 of 2006 by the ministry of local government on the guidelines on the management and utilization of CDF, the DC is not a member of the CDF committee and hence has no powers to reverse the decision of both the CDF committee and the full council.

One merely wonders where this impunity by some of our DCs is coming from and K FM requests the people of Mufumbwe to reject the DC’s directive and treat it with contempt it deserves.

49 years after independence Mufumbwe district has no FM radio signal and K FM was going to be the first ever to provide FM radio signal to the entire Mufumbwe district and surrounding parts.

Below is the letter by Mufumbwe district council to us over the approval of the said funds in question.

Post courtesy of MISA Zambia

The Constituency Development Fund Process Lacks Transparency - Elias Chipimo

Elias Chipimo Jr

We had the opportunity to attend the NAREP press breifing earlier and it was interesting to listen to Mr Elias Chipimo(party president) speak...

The conference was in response to the recent chaotic changes that have rocked the government and this is what he had to say..,

He referred to the state of affairs as confused and that the PF is in total disarray. He went on to say that there is a serious break down in the normal functioning of government and that the PF had not only turned against itself but the Zambian people too. He said this in reference to the recent government reshuffles,which saw permanent secretary Emanuel Mwamba reassigned to two different posts in 2days but has since been retired. He also made refference to the reversal on mineral export tax that has completely baffled the mining community.

He made comment on the mismanagement of CDF funds and said that lack of transparency and poor planning had slowed down development and there was need for people to get involved.

He concluded by urging all Zambians to be responsible and avoid blame games and participate in constructive politics,not politics of personality and mediocrity.

He said we will raise our standard of governance when as individuals we raise our sense of awareness about the responsibility we all share for the state of the nation we find ourselves living in today.

Kitwe Councillors, Civil Society Debate Constituency Development Fund

KITWE based Civil Society Organisations spent 14-15th October debating with the city's Councillors on citizen's involvement in monitoring and tracking the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
This is part of activities hosted by Common Cause Zambia under the HIVOS public Accountability Project funded by HIVOS whose aim is to promote transparency and accountability in the utilization of community resources.

Kitwe City Council Councillors, Bibiana Nyeleti and Godfridah Chulu braved questions ranging from the composition of the CDF committees, how they organize community meeting, transparency in the disbursement of funds and awards of contracts.

 In response the two Councillors accused Kitwe residents, especially those in high cost areas of shunning community meetings.
The two leaders explained that they have on several occasions asked members of the community to attend public meetings where CDF projects were discussed but received 'lukewarm' responses from the citizens.

"In my case, I have on several occasions taken invitations to the Church and other community based organisations to call for meetings and the people never show up," Councillor Nyeleti said.
Adding her voice to the debate, Councillor Chulu also reported that she had invited people in her ward toi attend public meetings but received poor turn up."I normally visit ifitente (church gatherings) and introduce myself,"Councillor Chule shared. "I take those opportunities to invite people to public meetings. I also write to  churches and some times I use the Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) to announce the community meetings through the public address systems.

Workshop participants in discussion

In the end, it was agreed that there was clearly a problem in the way CDF  information was shared and that they was need to both civic leaders and citizens to find ways of fully participating in the process and making it work for the people.