K675,000 DISHED OUT TO SOCIAL CASH TRANSFER BENEFICIARIES
By JACKSON MAPAPAYI
THE Ministry of Community Development has disbursed about K675,000 for the Social Cash Transfer programme in Solwezi district.
Meanwhile, 2093 beneficiaries have been identified for the programme in the district.
And speaking during the flagship of payment to the beneficiaries, Solwezi district commissioner Rosemary Kamalonga said the programme was aimed at reducing poverty through transfer of money to persons who meet the specified criteria.
She said government has put in place various interventions aimed at reducing poverty at household level such as the social cash transfer scheme.
She stated that for the first time Sol- wezi district had been included on the programme stating further that it was gratifying to see identified beneficiaries receiving their money.
“And that is why people need to know and understand that the PF government under the able leadership of President Edgar Lungu means well for people of Zambia because this is happening for the very first time here in Solwezi,” Ms Kamalonga said.
She emphasised the need for beneficiaries of the programme to put the money to good use.
And Ms Kamalonga has taken a swipe at people peddling lies that the programme was being spearheaded by the leader of the opposition United Party for National Development (UPND).
She said she would not hesitate to ask the Minister of Community Development to put on hold the programme if such lies continued.
“Instead of appreciating what government is doing people are busy peddling lies. It is very unfortunate. Now let me warn that if lies continue I will not hesitate to have the programme put on hold,” she said.
And one of the beneficiaries Tesa Masela 79, thanked government for empowering her financially.
She said the money will help her buy basic necessities like food and soap among others.
Another beneficiary Purity Chomba explained that she would buy food and other necessities for her children and invest whatever remained into a business.