Sumaili explains church empowerment fund

MINISTER of National Guidance and Religious Affairs, Godfridah Sumaili, has called on the church, religious and faith-based organisations to apply for the COVID-19 empowerment fund government has rolled out.

Reverend Sumaili said Government appreciated the role the church and its partners played in alleviating the suffering of the communities.

Speaking when she met leaders of Churches with Networks, Rev Sumaili said the K50 million empowerment fund was aimed at stimulating the economy and ensuring sustenance of the church and its activities.

She explained that the sensitization meetings that the ministry was holding with targeted groups were aimed at equipping them with adequate information on how the empowerment scheme would operate.

Rev Sumaili said the ministry would only give out grants to churches with networks, church mother bodies, religious organisations, faith-based organisations and cooperatives run by the church who in turn will give out loans to their members as a revolving fund.

She stated that it was sad that some people wanted to politicize the empowerment fund when it was clear that the church had also been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.

The Minister, however, appealed to those who will benefit from the funds to exhibit high levels of integrity, accountability, honesty and transparency.

And Pentecostal Assemblies of God in Zambia President, Joshua Banda, thanked President Edgar Lungu for the initiative.

Bishop Banda said the church should use the opportunity to grow its capacity and demonstrate accountability in the utilization of the funds.

The Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs has so far held meetings with some church mother bodies, Lusaka Ministers Fellowship leaders and leaders of churches with networks in Lusaka.

This was according to a statement issued from Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs Public Relations Officer, Chibesa Musukwa.