Ndola to have nearly 15,000 social cash transfer beneficiaries

Minister of Community Development and Social Services Kampamba Mulenga has disclosed that an additional 5, 921 beneficiaries will be added to the social cash transfer programme in Ndola this year. Currently, Ndola district has 9,000 social cash transfer beneficiaries. Ms. Mulenga said the Patriot Front (PF) administration is a pro-poor government that seeks to improve the lives of the vulnerable people in society.   “With the advent of Covid-19, some people have been laid off from work while businesses are failing to function because we must follow the Covid-19 guidelines. Because of that, we are increasing the number of beneficiaries,” she said. Ms. Mulenga added that the new strain of Covid-19 is more deadly and is posing a threat to most Zambians especially the aged and the physically challenged persons. She said it was for this reason that government introduced the emergency Covid-19 funds of K1, 200 given to each beneficiary per month. The targeted group of people will receive this fund for the next six months. Ms. Mulenga said, “apart from this social cash transfer, the government is also giving food security pack through the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) which the elderly and vulnerable must take advantage of”. The minister said this when she met beneficiaries of the social cash transfer scheme in Chifubu constituency. And Chifubu Member of Parliament Frank Ng’ambi said people in his constituency have also been affected by the effects of Covid-19 which have worsened poverty levels.  “The emergency social cash transfer has brought smiles on the faces of the people. Today unlike in the past, you will see people walking with hope because they know government will bring social cash transfer,” he said. Mr. Ng’ambi added that through this programme, government is saving a lot of lives in his constituency.  Peggy Nkwahindi, one of the beneficiaries, said through social cash transfer, government has demonstrated that it has not neglected the poor people but restored their dignity and improved lives. “With the social cash transfer, they are now able to afford real meals a day and able to grow organic crops such as groundnuts, beans, and maize,” she said.