By Sylvester Kumwenda

Dowa, February 21, Mana: Board chairperson for the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) Commissioner Richard Chapweteka has stressed the need for councils to effectively use the funds they are provided.

He made the remarks Thursday when the board of directors of NLGFC visited Dowa district council to appreciate projects and utilisation of funds being provided under different programs.

These include the District Development Fund, Government to Enable Service Delivery, Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Program, Social Cash Transfer and others.

'Spending money is one thing but getting what you want done is another thing. So what we want is to look at issues first-hand.

"From experience, we have established that desk reports are not adequate because people can cook reports to meet expectations. That should give us a lesson that we cannot always trust desk reports," he said.

He said some councils have good plans on paper but structures on the ground prove otherwise, which he described as embarrassing.

Chapweteka added that much as the board cannot visit all the projects, a sample can provide insight into council activities.

"Apart from that, there is also the issue of quality as well which sometimes there is much to be desired. This could be because some councils take shortcuts in getting contracts which ends up with bad results.

"So our coming is to appreciate what you are doing, and where there are shortfalls, discuss and provide advice to make sure councils are doing the right things," he said.

In his remarks, District Commissioner Stallichi Mwambiwa thanked NLGFC for the support rendered to councils.

Also, for the team visit to the council which he said was full of lessons for the council.

During the day, the council made presentations on various programs and infrastructure development it is implementing.

The visiting team also conducted a field visit to appreciate projects and interventions under the SCTP.

One of the SCTP participants under Mbalame cluster Nason Kaseke applauded the initiative saying it has transformed his livelihood as he can now afford a decent house and provide food