By Solister Mogha

Zomba, January 25, Mana: Executive Director for the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC), Dr. Kondwani Santhe has advised councils in the local authorities to complete Government to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) funded projects to qualify for other funding.

Dr. Santhe made the appeal on Friday at Mount Soche Hotel in Blantyre during a budget review and hearing session as Zomba and other councils took their turns to present their budgets before the NLGFC.

He therefore emphasized that no council will receive funding if it fails to complete any GESD projects proposed for the 2024/25 financial year.

“You have no excuse for failing to implementing projects. We don't want to hear issues of delayed funding,” he added while advising the councils to ensure that all completed projects are in use to meet citizens’ development aspirations.

Dr. Santhe also advised councils to comply with project guidelines, warning local authorities that they should not be tempted to go against set guidelines and standards.

He said NLGFC will continue monitoring how councils adhere to polices, guidelines and standards, saying failure to abide by these would result in less or no funding.

District Commissioner for Zomba, Reinghard Chavula assured NLGFC that the district will complete all the projects in time to receive the next GESD funding.

In the 2024/25 financial year, Zomba was allocated MK682.1 billion GESD funds.

The NLGFC organized councils' budget review meetings to ensure well-prepared and responsive budgets.