By Sam Majamanda-Mana
Community-based Radio Listening Clubs (RLCs) are believed to be facilitating community members’ participation in development activities in Phalombe district, Youth Net and Counseling (YONECO) has said.
YONECO Project Coordinator for Open Contracting, Donald Kamthunzi made the observation on Tuesday in Phalombe during a monitoring and evaluation exercise to six clubs that the organization established in traditional authorities (TAs) Kaduya, Mkhumba, Chiwalo and Jenala.
He said the Clubs which were established in 2018 have been able to lead in ensuring that there was transparency and accountability in public projects as well as recording radio programmes aimed at replicating lessons from the open contracting project to other districts.
“It is encouraging because this is what we wanted when we established the groups. We want them to go as far as they can in enlightening others about their roles in public development,” Kamthunzi said.
During the monitoring exercise, community members such as traditional leaders testified on how the RLCs have encouraged their subjects in tracking project activities and demanding information concerning such programmes.
Group Village Headman Chabe under TA Kaduya said through the clubs’ leadership, his subjects have been able to peacefully interact with contractors and duty bearers on various projects such as construction of a bridge in his area.
