More households to benefit from cash initiative
By NATION REPORTER GOVERNMENT is targeting to register an additional 110,000 households on the social cash transfer programme, Community Development and Social Services Minister Emerine Kabanshi says Speaking when she handed over 93 bicycles to community welfare assistance committees (CWACS) members and a Toyota Land cruiser to the department of social welfare in Siavonga district, Ms Kabanshi said the 110,000 households would increase the number of beneficiaries which currently stood at 590,000 to 700,000 households countrywide.
The social cash transfer programme is the country’s major social protection programme aimed at reducing abject poverty.
The minister said that due to the successes the programme had achieved since its inception, the government through her ministry rolled to all districts in the country. She the PF government would continue involving all segments of the population to to achieve national development.
''In this regard, the PF government does not want to leave
anyone behind and as such, has continued to add not only the number of districts but also the number of people benefiting from the programme.
She explained that Government would continue to help the vulnerable in society to reduce the prevalence of poverty in the country adding that the bicycles given to CWACS members should be put to good use for the benefit of the vulnerable people.
Ms Kabanshi said Government attached great importance to role community welfare assistance committees (CWACS) played in the implementation of social protection programms in the country. “The 93 bicycles I’m handing over to CWAC members and a Toyota Land cruiser to the department of social welfare has been donated to ease the burden of transport in order to improve service delivery," she said. The minister said CWACS were the eyes of government at community and family level as well as a link between the people and government at community level. She said the vehicle given to the department of social welfare would offer a comprehensive response towards social protection programmes for the best interests of the vulnerable and people in the district. ''It is my sincere hope that the provision of transport in the district will further enhance the effectiveness and efficiency at which programmes, particularly the social cash transfer program is delivered to the people.
Currently Siavonga district has 1,622 beneficiary households. This year the district will add 2098 to bring the number to 3,756. Other districts that had received vehicles and bicycles in Southern Province are Namwala, Mazabuka and Choma.