Luapula Province Minister & Member of Parliament for Mbala Constituency, Honorable Njavwa Simutowe has today awarded CDF Empowerment Loans to 22 approved beneficiaries from the 2022 CDF allocation and 1 approved beneficiary from the 2023 allocation.
The 22 approved beneficiaries who have been awarded under the 2022 CDF allocation are a fraction of beneficiaries who will also be awarded within the next few weeks under the 2022 allocation collectively amounting to K2,229,290.
Speaking during the awarding ceremony held today at the civic centre, the honorable minister expressed gratification to witness the empowerment of small and medium scale enterprises (SME’s), Cooperatives, Clubs, Associations and individuals with loans that will enable them to initiate or boost already existing businesses, which will result in job creation and economic growth in the District.
And in her welcoming remarks, Town Clerk for Mbala Municipal Council Mrs. Laura Yumba Munkanta assured civic leaders and stakeholders that the Local Authority is committed to providing guidance to the beneficiaries and monitoring their progress to ensure that CDF guidelines are strictly adhered to in order to maximize the output of the businesses that the beneficiaries will take on.
The Town Clerk further urged the banks to expedite the processing and issuing of CDF empowerment loans to avoid unnecessary delays.
Mrs. Munkanta also stated that the approved beneficiaries underwent financial literacy training on 29th September 2023 and is therefore confident that the beneficiaries are well aware of the terms and conditions of the CDF loans they have received and will therefore abide by them.
And in her remarks, District Commissioner Mrs. Anne Paul challenged beneficiaries of CDF empowerment loans and grants to bring forth testament of the actualization of CDF in order to build the faith of the public in the government’s efforts, especially to those who have not received empowerment funds yet.
Meanwhile his Worship the Mayor Mr. Mulenga Sinyangwe urged the beneficiaries to refrain from diverting the funds to endeavors contrary to what was submitted in their applications as this will attract repercussions.
