Over Nine hundred thousand kwacha has been disbursed for women, youth and community empowerment projects for Mandevu Constituency in Lusaka District under the Constituency Development Fund(CDF).
60 cooperative groups from different areas in Mandevu will benefit from the empowerment grants for the first and second quarter of 2022.
ZANIS reports that Mandevu Member of Parliament, Christopher Shakafuswa commended government for the programme as it was the first of its kind in the constituency.
Mr. Shakafuswa said the initiative will facilitate growth and development of the constituency because of the jobs and wealth that will be created from the various business projects.
He added that this will also reduce poverty and vulnerability among community members as they will have income generating ventures to sustain their livelihoods.
The law maker said he is dedicated to see that more groups benefit from the empowerment grants and called for joint efforts from all stakeholders including the community to push for development through CDF empowerments.
Lusaka District Administrative Officer, O’ Neill Chiiya who addressed beneficiaries on behalf of the District Commissioner Rosa Zulu advised beneficiaries to prudently utilize the funds.
Mr. Chiiya said government is focused on developing communities through CDF to ensure that no constituency remains behind.
“Government of President Hakainde Hichilema has proven that the 25,709,000 CDF allocation is not only on paper but now in people’s hands,” he said.
Beneficiaries expressed gratitude to government for increasing the CDF allocation in the 2023 budget.
Speaking on behalf of other beneficiaries, Anastasia Chipata said through the expanded funding, more groups will benefit from the initiative.
Ms. Chipata promised that the beneficiaries will work hard and utilize the resources according to the intended purpose and bring about positive change and development in communities.
26 women groups, 13 youth groups and 21 cooperatives and community groups received varying amounts of money under the CDF allocation for the first and second quarter.