$8 Million Now Available to Each MP Under CDF

Minister of State for Civic Responsibilities in the Office of the Prime Minister, Shahine Robinson has informed that the first allocation of $8 million from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) is available.
“The Parliamentary Committee will meet weekly. We have already had two meetings to review and approve submitted projects. We are looking at a week and a half turn around time between approval and disbursement of funds,” Mrs. Robinson said.
The State Minister was making her contribution to the 2008/09 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives, yesterday (June 11).
She also informed that close to 400 proposals representing expected expenditure of approximately $1.2 billion have been submitted by Members of Parliament for initial review.
“Fifty per cent represents improvements to physical infrastructure such as roads, community centres and water systems. Economic enablement projects account for 15 per cent of those already reviewed. Close to 90 projects or 23 per cent encompass skills training and other community development projects,” the State Minister said.
She added that the remaining 12 per cent would be taken up by welfare and social housing.
Mrs. Robinson explained that the CDF has had preliminary discussions with a number of state agencies, which will act as project implementers and are actively engaged in developing memoranda of understanding with the agencies.
“I would like to express my gratitude for the level of co-operation guidance and support that the agencies have given to this programme and they have spared no opportunity to assist my staff,” she said.
The main agencies identified to implement and facilitate projects so far are the National Works Agency, Rural Agricultural Development Authority, Heart Trust/NTA, National Environment and Planning Agency, Social Development Commission, among others.
The CDF is an important people centred development programme that makes available financial resources for Members of Parliament to execute social and economic programmes in their constituencies.