Chitipa District Council says Governance to Enable Service Delivery (Gesd) projects have improved service delivery in the district.

Speaking on Monday during a media tour to appreciate accountability systems under the World Bank-funded project being facilitated by National Local Government Finance Committee, the council’s director of finance Gift Msowoya said the project has strengthened their prudent use of financial resources.

He said: “We are in the second financial year of having clean audit reports. We have had trainings that increased our capacity in financial management while handling more projects and resources for development purposes.

“These have also strengthened external audit that bolster the system of accountability for public funds.”

Msowoya said the initiative has helped them to give people high quality projects in education and trade, among other sectors.

Vendors with their merchandise at Chitipa Boma Market

Chitipa Boma Market vice chairperson Maxtchuma Nyirenda said they have a conducive environment for business, courtesy of the project.

He said: “Since 2021, we have received K56 million from the project for two big market shades that accommodate about 160 vendors.

“We used to have our goods on dirty grounds and could rarely do our trade during the rainy season.”

Namatubi Community Day Secondary School head teacher ManjeKondowe said the council constructed a K65 million girl’s hostel at the school.

Gesd project coordinator Charles Chunga said they strive to ensure there is value for money in projects councils are implementing.

“By revamping financial management systems, councils are doing their best to give communities projects that will serve them for long term,” he said.

Chitipa is one of the eight district councils with clean audits in the 2022/23 financial year.

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