Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Dr Ben Malunga Phiri, has ordered contractors working on two school projects in Madisi to update their project signboards and display full details of the money allocated, including construction costs, VAT and other charges.
Phiri said the information was necessary to allow communities to monitor how public funds were being used and hold contractors accountable for the quality of work.
The minister made the remarks on Sunday when he stopped at Kanyungu and Chipeni Primary Schools in Madisi to inspect construction works being carried out under the Reformed Constituency Development Fund (RCDF).
He was returning from Kasungu, where he had presided over the burial ceremony of Traditional Authority Mawawa.
Although impressed with progress at both sites, Phiri faulted the project signboards for leaving out important financial details.
“This is taxpayers’ money, hence every project site must have a signboard that shows the total project cost, scope of work, VAT and other charges such as PPDA and CIRA charges,” he said.
Phiri said displaying the information would help communities establish whether the work being done matched the money allocated to each project.
“When the community knows how much money has been allocated and what exactly is supposed to be done, they can monitor and demand quality. Transparency is the best weapon against corruption,” he added.
He also challenged Members of Parliament to take an active role in monitoring RCDF-funded projects, particularly the quality of construction materials.
Phiri warned that some contractors were using substandard blocks, saying MPs should not rely on reports from project supervisors but physically visit construction sites to check the materials being used.
“MPs must be on the ground. Some contractors are using substandard blocks, and the only way people will see that is when they are monitoring. Do not just wait for reports, go to the sites and check the materials,” he said.
The minister said government would not tolerate poor workmanship in projects funded through RCDF, which is intended to improve service delivery and transform communities at grassroots level.
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