MORE MONEY IN CLERGY’S POCKETS- LUNGU

By AARON CHIYANZO in Chibombo CHURCHES empowerment funds are available and distribution will continue as soon as outstanding matters are harmonised, President Edgar Lungu has said. President Lungu said a team from the Ministry of Religious Affairs was going round the country sorting out challenges that churches were facing to easily access the money. The President said this during a meeting with the Pastors Fellowship in Chibombo. “Some churches have issues with their accounts and other matters. But the funds are available and will be released once all issues are harmonised,” he said. President Lungu urged churches with pending matters hindering  accessing the funds to get in touch with the provincial administration office and sort out everything. President Lungu said just   as women, the youth and other groupings were receiving empowerment funds to cushion them against the economic effects of Covid19, the church would not be left behind. He also urged the clergy to encourage congregants to take advantage of the empowerment programmes that government was rolling out in the wake of the Covid19 pandemic. President Lungu said the social cash transfer and other social funds were   intended for everyone. “This is intended to leave no one behind,” he said. And Pastor James Manda who spoke on behalf of the fellowship said churches have been badly hit financially because of the Covid19 pandemic. Pastor Manda thanked President Lungu for the empowerment programmes being rolled out, saying they were lifting thousands out of abject poverty. Meanwhile, President Lungu urged people who wanted to make donations to follow laid down channels. He said there were institutions that were mandated by law to regulate donations to markets and other public places. President Lungu said Inspector General of Police Kakoma Kanganja  was within the confines of the law to stop political leaders from making impromptu visits to markets to donate masks and preventive materials without following procedure. The President said this when he handed over Covid19 preventive materials to Chibombo Market yesterday. And Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) national coordinator Chanda Kabwe said the DMMU Act of 2010 mandated the Unit and the Ministry of Health to regulate donations and other activities in markets during disaster periods including times when the country was hit by diseases such as Covid19. Mr Kabwe said the Republican President as the supervisor number one of all government programmes was within the law to continue checking on distribution of Covid19 preventative materials. He said other political leaders wishing to make donations to markets should make use of the provincial secretaries or district commissioners’ offices. Mr Kabwe said authorities needed to make sure that the materials to be donated where of acceptable standard. Earlier, President Lungu held a meeting with Chief Liteta and Chief Chitanda where the two traditional leaders endorsed the President in the upcoming election.