Zambia: Chief Mumpolokoso of the Bemba people of Mporokoso District has appreciated the government for taking the initiative of the Constituency Development Fund. He has shared the positive impact that the fund has been having on the people of the country.
During a courtesy call at his Palace in Mporokoso, Chief Mumpolokoso expressed gratitude to Northern Province Permanent Secretary Bernard Mpundu. He stated that the people in his chiefdom now feel empowered as they can access funding for business enterprises, significantly improving their livelihoods.
The chief mentioned that some individuals in his chiefdom utilized the Constituency Development Funds to enhance their lives, contributing to the reduction of poverty.
He said some of the people in his chiefdom used the Constituency Development Funds to improve their lives, thereby helping to reduce poverty.
Earlier, Mpundu appealed to the traditional leader to be involved in sensitising the community on the proper utilisation of the funds.
The Permanent Secretary Mpundu explained that some people, after receiving the funds, were sharing the money instead of engaging in business.
He noted that some people were also using the funds to finance other illicit activities, like beer drinking. He has condemned all these activities and asked the beneficiaries to be more responsible for their development
He said the government, therefore, expects traditional leaders to get involved and help sensitize the public. He asked the leaders to encourage the people of his various on proper utilisation so that it can be used to lift people out of poverty.
Meanwhile, Bupe Chanda, Chairperson of Pebu Valley Farm, which got K180,000 as an empowerment loan, has encouraged other groups to use the funds prudently.
Chanda, whose group wants to engage in chicken rearing business, said the group, which consists of 15 youths, decided to engage in poultry farming to take advantage of the high demand for chickens.
95 groups, cooperatives and business enterprises in Mporokoso have been given loans and grants from the 2023 CDF empowerment funds amounting to K5.2 million.