By Peter Davieson

Inadequate funds at local councils have been cited as a major factor hindering the completion of some developmental projects under decentralization in Zomba District.

The concern was raised recently during a site visit to projects at Namadidi, Bwaila, and Traditional Authority Mwambo.

Speaking during the event, Zomba District Council Chief Planning Officer, Bibu Mdala, said some of the projects are taking longer to be handed over to communities because they are being implemented in phases due to limited funding.

Mdala further noted that most of the developments began in 2023, at a time when the country was grappling with natural disasters such as Cyclone Freddy, which also forced some contractors to suspend work.

In her remarks, the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture’s Public Relations Officer, Anjoya Mwanza, said decentralization in Zomba is taking shape as communities are increasingly able to request and participate in developments they desire.

One of the community members, Stephano Keneth Master from Kaunde 4 in the area of Traditional Authority Mlumbe, said locals contributed resources such as bricks and sand during construction as a way of taking ownership of the projects.

However, Master expressed concern over the delayed completion of the local clinic, describing it as a setback for community health.

He appealed to the council to consider opening the clinic as soon as possible to ease the challenges people face in walking long distances to access medical services.