Lusaka Province Minister, Sheal Mulyata says the youth, women and community empowerment loans awarded to 21 Mandevu beneficiaries this morning has the transformative power needed to positively impact the lives of the people of Mandevu.
During the official handover of a dummy cheque to beneficiaries of CDF loans at Olympia Park Secondary School grounds today totalling K3,064,000, Ms MULYATA said the disbursement of the loans to the successful applicants marked a new era of financial support for the beneficiaries.
She told the beneficiaries of the loans to use the funds to fuel progress and inspire members of the community to upscale their entrepreneurship skills that would in turn lead to what she termed a *”more prosperous tomorrow and a brighter future.”
Ms MULYATA said it was President Hakainde Hichilema’s wish to build a stronger, resilient populace that would steer clear of the hardships experienced due to the dry spells that Zambia experienced during the 2023/2024 farming season.In his welcoming remarks during the event, Mandevu MP, Christopher Shakafuswa praised the UPND-led Government for increasing the CDF allocation, adding that the move has the potential to nurture the entrepreneural skills of the people of Mandevu.
He said the increase in CDF has enabled him to bring development closer to the people of Mandevu community.
And Lusaka District Commissioner (DC), Rosa Zulu said the construction of health posts, police posts, maternity wings, the purchase of desks and the construction of classroom blocks were testament of the value of increased CDF.
During the presentation of the 2024 proposed Budget in mid September this year, Finance and National Planning Minister, Situmbeko Musokotwane announced the increase in CDF from K31.6 million in 2024 to K36.1 million in 2025.
The loan is a payable revolving fund with a manageable interest rate.