South resettlement schemes get relief food

VICE-PRESIDENT Inonge Wina has distributed 28, 480 bags of relief mealie meal to Chikanta and Sichifulo resettlement schemes in Southern Province.

Ms Wina distributed 26, 800 bags to Sichifulo Resettlement Scheme in Kazungula District and 1680 bags to Chikanta Resettlement Scheme in Kalomo District.

In partnership with World Food Programme (WFP) and UK Aid charity, the Vice President handed over 28,200 bags of beans to residents of Sichifulo Resettlement Scheme.

Ms Wina said it was Government’s desire to improve resettlement schemes and empower settlers as they played a pivotal role in national development as potential developers.

She said Government had a robust programme to develop the rural parts of the country if all citizens were to be self sufficient.

Ms Wina said this when she visited the two resettlement schemes on Saturday.

She was accompanied by Southern Province Minister Edify Hamukale, Minister in the office of the Vice President Olipa Phiri, DMMU national coordinator Chanda Kabwe, PF Member of Central Committee Kebby Mbewe and other senior Government officials.

She said there was need to improve rural connectivity for effective distribution of farming inputs and distribution of relief food.

She said rural farmers needed to be empowered by Government and was hopeful that the Kalomo- Dundumwezi Road would spur development in the area.

Meanwhile, the Vice President has thanked Chief Chikanta of Kalomo for allocating land for Government to establish a resettlement scheme in his chiefdom.

Speaking when she held a meeting with the traditional leader, Ms Wina said Government wants to use resettlement schemes as hubs for development, especially in the agriculture sector.