Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Esmie Kainja, has urged councils in the country to create realistic budgets for the 2025/2026 financial year to meet their targets with ease.
Kainja stressed this on Tuesday in Blantyre during the Nkhata Bay District Council’s budget meeting review by the National Local Government Finance Committee for technical insights before its presentation to the Parliamentary Committee on Budget for approval.
“I’m glad to say that so far, those councils which have presented their budgets are doing well. To improve your performance, make sure that your budgets are realistic so that you should not panic to meet your targets. Also remember to align your budgets to national priorities and develop focus,” she said.
District Commissioner for Nkhata Bay District, Rodgers Newa, praised the National Local Government Finance Committee for its capacity-building efforts, which have helped councils improve their performance.
Newa assured that Nkhata Bay District Council would heed all guidance given on their budgets.
Acting Director of Finance for Nkhata Bay District Council, Cecilia Chakanza, has since presented the K12 billion 2025/2026 financial budget and scrutiny is in progress.
By Chisomo Kambandanga, MANA