K200,000 disbursed for Luanshya youths, women and marketeers empowerment | WestMac Media

By Staff Reporter, Ndola 

THE Presidential Empowerment Initiative Fund (PEIF) is set to give collateral free loans to hundreds of Luanshya women, youths and marketeers with bankable business ideas. 

Presidential Empowerment Initiative Fund coordinator Clement Tembo said a total of K200, 000 has been disbursed in form of financial assistance to Lunashya based beneficiaries in the first phase. 

Mr Tembo said the loan facility was testimony of President Edgar Chagwa Lungu's commitment to honour his campaign promise to fight poverty through empowerment to less privileged members of society. 

Scores of marketeers, women, youths and micro-business owners witnessed the launch of the Presidential Empowerment Initiative Fund during a colourful ceremony held at the Luanshya Civic Centre. Luanshya Mayor Nathan Chanda who graced the Event, appealed to residents to take advantage of the revolving fund and improve their standards of living and create more jobs for others. He said residents should see to it that the non-partisan loan facility is used to transform the economy of Luanshya through benefitting as many deserving residents as possible including our brothers and sisters who were relocated from the streets to right trading places. 

The Mayor during his campaigns promised his follow youths of giving them nets and not fish. 

“I said to my people and records are there. l told my people that l will show you how to fish and also provide opportunities and create a conducive environment for the youths and women. 

“It as come to pass through the Presidential Empowerment Initiative Fund and this shows that President Lungu wants to improve the welfare of the poor and the people of Luanshya like many other Zambians because by visiting and taking development to all parts of the Country. For this reason l want to thank President Lungu for demonstrating that indeed he is Mr Walk the Talk,” said Mayor.

Mayor Chanda also appealed to the people to support all progressive initiatives being spearheaded by President Edgar Lungu by making good use of the presidential empowerment fund. 

“Let me also take this opportunity to assure the marketeers not to be cheated by disgruntled individuals spreading lies that Preaident Lungu does not love them. We know the people who are going round cheating the marketeers. We care for our people and we want to see that our people operate in conducive trading places,” he said.