By Richard Kagunda

Kasungu, March 26, Mana: Kasungu Civil Society Network has advised authorities at Kasungu District Council to adopt a complete package approach in the implementation of public projects to ensure that projects become functional soon after completion. 

The network’s Chairperson, Braxton Banda, made the call on Tuesday in the district when he presented a report on how the council has implemented projects under the World Bank funded Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) Project, District Development Fund and Health Infrastructure Rehabilitation Fund.

Banda said the phased approach in construction projects drain a lot of resources from the council coffers as they are more expensive than being implemented in a complete package fashion.

“If it is a health facility project, for instance, we will have the structures ready but things like furniture and equipment may not be available as they are planned for another phase. In this case, the structures remain idle for a long time denying communities an opportunity to access services.

“That is why, as a network playing an oversight role on the implementation of public initiatives, we recommend to the council to adopt a complete package approach to avoid both costs and delays,” Banda said.

He added that there must be project prioritisation corresponding with the council’s annual investment plan so that those development initiatives respond to the needs of the people as outlined in the district development plan.

Banda bemoaned shoddy works done by some contractors citing Kachitsa Primary School block which has cracked about five months after completion.

Reacting to the network’s observations, Director of Human Resource and Administration for Kasungu District Council, Matias Blugama, welcomed the report saying it will help the council to improve on the weak areas.

“We always appreciate the role that our partners play and in collaboration with them we make things happen. As a council, we are committed to delivering quality projects, sticking to their standard designs and timelines.

“We have a good working relationship with civil society and they have greatly contributed towards the well-being of peoples’ lives in the communities,” Blugama said.

Kasungu Civil Society Network gets involved in the implementation of public projects to promote citizen participation and ensure transparency and accountability in the utilisation of public funds.