By Pride Maila, Citizen Journalists
In response to the severe drought declared a disaster by President Hakainde Hichilema on January 10, 2024, local authorities across Zambia have been mandated to realign budgets and leverage Constituency Development Funds (CDF) to mitigate its impacts. The Kalomo Town Council, which oversees Dundumwezi and Kalomo Central constituencies, has taken proactive measures to address the crisis. Development fund committees in each constituency have been tasked with devising strategic and effective interventions to alleviate the drought’s effects.
Dundumwezi Constituency’s Approach
Recognizing the acute water shortage, Dundumwezi Constituency has prioritized drilling boreholes. However, the constituency’s CDF allocation is under immense strain due to competing demands, such as the presidential directive to purchase desks for schools, which alone requires ZMW 3.8 million. Additional allocations for motorbikes for chief retainers and the construction of chief palaces have further reduced the budget available for boreholes.
Despite these constraints, Dundumwezi can only afford to drill 20 boreholes, far below the community’s needs. The crisis is exacerbated by dried-up hand pumps and a significantly lowered water table, leaving many residents without access to clean water.
Kalomo Central Constituency’s Strategy
Kalomo Central has adopted a more long-term solution by allocating funds under the 2023 CDF for the purchase of a water drilling rig at a total cost of ZMW 5,020,000 (including VAT). This investment aims to address the water crisis sustainably.
The constituency has also introduced a dual loans-and-grants model under its CDF, divided into two equal components:
Grants Component
- Half of the grants are available for groups and cooperatives to apply for community-driven projects.
- The other half is dedicated to acquiring water-related machinery or agricultural equipment, such as water pumps and boreholes, to encourage irrigation and boost agricultural productivity.
Loans Component
- Loans are accessible for general ventures and water-specific projects, enabling individuals to acquire water-related or agricultural equipment.
- This approach not only addresses immediate water needs but also promotes long-term agricultural development and food security in the constituency.
Presidential Directive and National Impact
President Hichilema’s directive to use CDF to mitigate the drought disaster underscores the urgent need for water access and agricultural resilience. The drought’s impact has been catastrophic, with a 40% reduction in crop yields, affecting over 2 million people and escalating food insecurity.
In addition, the drought has contributed to extreme levels of load-shedding by the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO), which relies heavily on hydro-generated power. The power outages have hampered productivity in small-scale industries, such as sunflower oil production in Kalomo, which employs many youths.
Conclusion
The Kalomo Town Council’s strategic use of CDF reflects the critical role of local governance in disaster response. Dundumwezi Constituency’s focus on boreholes and Kalomo Central’s investment in a water drilling rig, coupled with a well-structured loans-and-grants system, are key measures to mitigate the drought’s impact.
These initiatives not only address the immediate water crisis but also strengthen the foundation for sustainable agricultural development, equipping communities to better handle future challenges.