Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Elias Mubanga has challenged the local people of Lupososhi and Luwingu districts to be innovative and acquire the necessary skills for them to access contracts.
The minister who is conducting sensitization programmes on empowerment funds said the government wants to see people within constituencies benefit from the many empowerment programmes it is implementing.
Mr. Mubanga stated that the government is committed to fostering development in all parts of the country by empowering the local people.
“We do not want to get people from outside this constituency to come and do contracts here, the government wants to see each constituency develop by empowering people from within their constituencies. “He said.
The minister has since encouraged the locals to learn skills that will enable them to perform quality work.
He disclosed that the government has released the first batch of K5.1 million under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to each constituency in the first quarter of 2022.
He also highlighted that women and youths have been allocated a sum of K 5 million from the K25.7 million CDF allocation for constituencies.
The Minister further encouraged the locals to form cooperatives and set up businesses to benefit from the funds it is releasing.
ZANIS reports that Mr Mubanga said this when he held a meeting at Chungu market in Senior Chieftainess Chungu Chiefdom in Lupososhi District.
Earlier, the Minister also paid a courtesy call on the Senior Chieftainess Chungu where he explained the various empowerment programs which the government is implementing.
The traditional leader said the engagement of local contractors in Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects will help the district to attain meaningful development.
She said decentralization of development programs will help to create employment for local people.
She has expressed confidence that once local people are engaged in CDF projects, it will help address the high unemployment levels which in turn leads to poverty reduction.
“Because local people understand their needs they will make sure that they work to the best of their abilities as it is for their community” she said
And Lupososhi District Commissioner Simon Mwenya appealed to the government to build more hospitals near to the people.
Meanwhile, Luwingu District Commissioner Chomba Chileshe disclosed that the district has 501 registered cooperatives of which 50 cooperatives are engaged in business activities while the rest are under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP).
Contracts? What contracts? You mean all those contracts that corrupt local councils are giving out to their cronies? Give me a break!
@No corruption PF: This is was not meant for you, we know that it would only be a contract to you if it was directed at you and your PF cadres. Not this time mwana, you are in for suffering and for a very long time. All of you PF cadres: No Corruption Zambia, De Javu, Kaiser Zulu you ll know what hunger means.Cos also remember the community members know you guys by name and appearence cos during PF you used to flash your wealth and beating up innocent citizens. But now your movements are constrained & have been restricted to Lusaka Times bloggers or complainers. mwanya, wait , you havent suffered yet.
People already have skills. Just disburse the funds of course basing on a good business plan by the applicant.
Just open huge farms and employee those villagers you are insulting.
8 months you have done nothing you idyoots!!