PEIP disburse over K13 million to small groups country wide
….Chanda says the PF has over delivered compared to what was promised during campaign
By Francis Maingaila
Lusaka (02-10-18) Presidential Empowerment Initiative Fund (PEIF) has disclosed that a total of 13.8 million has been disbursed to various beneficiaries across the country from the time the fund was introduced in 2015.
PEIF National Coordinator Clement Tembo told Journalists when he featured at this week PF Interactive Foram held Chrisma Hotel in Lusaka that the initiative has am average of 94% of success rate compared to the default rate set at 4%.
According to Tembo the success rate of the fund is necessitated by the control measures by the government.
He clarified that the presidential initiative empowerment fund was established to support the less privileged in society who cannot afford to access fund to establish own capital to set up businesses.
He explained that the project which started with few marketeers has now gone far wide and is now in five provinces, including Lusaka, Southern Eastern Copperbelt and Central provinces.
In Lusaka Tembo explained, the PEIF has been disbursed in Kafue, Sibuyunji, Luangwa, Chilanga and Choongwe while in Central province the PEIF was disbursed in Kabwe, Chibombo, Mumbwa and Itezhi Itezhi and Mkushi.
Noted that PEIF in Eastern province has disbursed in Lundazhi, Sinda, Nyimba, Petauke, and Karate while on the Copperbelt it is disbursed in Masaiti, Kalulushi, Chingola Mpongwe and Mufulira among others.
He explained that the idea behind president Edgar Lungu to begin the initiative was to appreciate the women who spend most of their time using little resources to support their families.
He denies the fund introduced as a political tool to the advantage of the ruling party.
He suggested that if the fund was introduced for political reason, it could have ended after winning the 2016 general election.
He also explained that the funds are not only disbursed to women in the strong hold of the ruling party but also in areas where the opposition command large support.
He clarified that the initiative fund is a revolving funds and the more the people honour their obligation, the more people will benefit from it.
The initiative is also supporting clubs involving women to the total of 700 women clubs in five province.
Tembo observed that, there are 105 youths groups, 10 schools and 12 churches have all benefited from the fund.
“Besides giving soft loan, the fund is used to build markets to enable the women trade in clean environment and also sinking borehole to help the people access clean water.”
He added that through the diversification, the PEIF is giving out incubators to people that want to rear chickens, oil and blockmaking machines to those that want to venture into brick and oil making businesses.
Speaking at the same function Patriotic Front (PF) Media Director Sunday Chanda disclosed that the ruling PF has over delivered compared to the promised that was made to the people of Zambia during the election campaign.
According to Chanda, fulfilling the campaign promises has led to the people of Zambia embracing the PF.
“This can be manifested in the victory the PF has recorded in the recent by election where it has warn all the parliament and wards in the stronghold of the opposition.
He mocked the UPND saying it is losing the seats to the PF because it does not have the winning manifesto.
He said the ten point formula devised by the UPND is being fulfilled by the PF as can be evidenced in the massive development.
He doubt the UPND will win the up coming byelection in Sesheke because the opposition party does not have the correct massage to give the people.
Chanda also condemned the sexist remarks made by Chishimba Kambwili against Copperbelt province commissioner of police Charity katanga.
He demanded that Kambwili apologise for insulting Charity katanga when he suggested that she cruel because he is barren.
Chamda alsl aked the women movement and the church to condemn Kambwili after the attacked katanga.
Meanwhile Chanda observed that the behaviour being exhibited by Bahati MP Harry Kalaba and Kambwili suggested that the duo are not members of the ruling party.
Chanda wondered why the two are still holding on to the seats they won under the ruling PF which they ‘re now denouncing.
He said the attack the two have launched on the ruling party an a confirmation that they no longer belong to PF.
The best thing these two can do is for them to resign and prove their credibility in an election.”
He said if they are popular, they will win back their seats otherwise they are nothing.