National Local Government Finance Committee has warned that government will not release second tranche of constituency development funds for councils that fails to account for the funds received in the first tranche.

In an interview, the Committee's board Chairperson Richard Chapweteka said CDF is performance based, emphasizing government targets to see people's livelihood improved.

Chapweteka has described constituency development fund as a crucial hub in implementing development projects in various communities.

 "Government will ensure the funds are prudently and accountably managed because government has set aside strategies to monitor implementation of projects under CDF" he said.

However, Chapweteka has advised council's to ensure all local development implementing structures are geared up for projects, emphasizing community involvement is a priority.

Commenting on the matter, a good governance commentator Victor Chikoti has hailed government through NLGFC for ensure that CDF serves the interest of people.

"It is very simple to liquidate what you effectively used because documents are readily available" he said.

According to Chikoti, he is optimistic that the direction taken, communities will be socially as well as economically empowered.

In the passed 2026/2027 national budget, government has allocated 5 billion kwacha for every constituency through the constituency development fund.

(By Wilson Allan Phiri )