Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (Csat) has drilled area development committees from five traditional authorities (T/As) in Machinga District on how to track projects in their areas.

Speaking on Saturday during the training of the committees, Csat executive director Willy Kambwandira said financial mismanagement in councils affects the implementation of projects, which affect service delivery.

He said his organisation has scaled up Strengthening Governance Accountability through Citizen Oversight Project from Dowa to Machinga and Mangochi districts.

A cross-section of the participants during the training

Said Kambwandira: “The project seeks to empower citizens to track development programmes to ensure transparency and accountability.

“Most of the programmes that lack transparency and accountability affect women and children. For example, if money meant for the construction of bridges is embezzled, it can hinder children’s access to school.”

He said women and children fail to access basic health services because of procurement mishaps or stealing of drugs in hospitals.

“Our leadership and advocacy training also targets women to equip them with skills to demand accountability and transparency in project implementation,” said Kambwandira.

He called for stiffer penalties for corrupt officials in district councils.

One of the participants, Maxwell Barnet, from T/A Chambasaid the training will help them to monitor projects in their areas.

He said: “For a long time,duty-bearers have allocated projects to our areas that we do not need.

“But after Csat took us through the leadership training on advocacy, transparency and accountability, we have been empowered to track projects and demand budgets and implementation plans from the district council.”

The training targeted area development committees from T/As Chamba, Sitola, Nkula, Mchinguza and Mazinga.

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