Machinga Council in Fire over K68m from Agriculture Cooperatives, Clubs

Council authorities in Machinga have come under fire for allegedly collecting over 68 million kwacha from agriculture cooperatives and clubs

It is alleged that agriculture authorities demanded 10 000 kwacha from each farmer club and cooperative and 5000 kwacha from every lead farmer across the district saying the money is meant for transportation of AIP to their localities

This has been revealed during a full council meeting where Machinga East constituency legislator Esther Jolobala demanded authorities to account how the money have been utilized

Responding to the matter Machinga district council chairperson Cydrick Stande said the money were collected as the registration fees for the farmer clubs

However there is a controversy as an inside source has confided us with a report which indicates that the council has used the money to purchase a tractor without consulting agriculture service committee  a development which Stand has confirmed

But Stande said he has directed the office of director of agriculture to sell the tractor because they did not follow proper procedure when purchasing it

Meanwhile Machinga district director of agriculture environment and natural resources Isaac Ali declined to comment on the matter