By Business Insider Reporter, Zanzibar
The Second Vice President of Zanzibar, Hemed Suleiman Abdulla, has officially opened a seminar for Members of Parliament from Zanzibar in the Union Parliament, emphasising the need to enhance oversight and accountability in the implementation of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
Speaking at the seminar held in Unguja, Abdulla highlighted the critical role the fund has played in improving social services, including access to clean water, electricity, education, roads, and fostering local business activities.
“The Constituency Development Fund was established to engage citizens in designing and implementing development projects that address the real needs of their constituencies. It is the responsibility of MPs to ensure communities are fully involved so that projects are effective, sustainable, and impactful,” he said.
He added that the government aims to enable rapid delivery of projects that benefit citizens, strengthen public participation and accountability in development planning, and reduce disparities between different areas.
Despite existing laws and guidelines governing the fund, Abdulla acknowledged that some local councils have faced management challenges, leading to audit observations. He urged council officials to manage the funds properly to avoid mismanagement and ensure value for money.
The Vice President also stressed the importance of gathering feedback on proposed amendments to the 2009 Constituency Development Fund Act, following guidance provided after the submission of the fund’s 2023/24 implementation report to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Local Government.
“Zanzibar’s MPs are encouraged to use this seminar as a platform for open and professional discussions aimed at improving the fund’s framework and operational efficiency,” he said.
Meanwhile, Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office (Union and Environment), Eng. Hamad Yussuf Masauni, described the seminar as a key step in enhancing MPs’ understanding of fund implementation and management. He noted that proposed improvements aim to ensure that the law and guidelines reflect actual implementation realities while increasing transparency and efficiency in the use of public funds. The seminar brought together MPs from all 50 constituencies in Zanzibar, alongside officials from the Vice President’s Office and the Second Vice President’s Office, to discuss strategies for optimising the delivery and management of the Constituency Development Fund.
