By JOHN SAKALA
President Edgar Lungu has given Chingola marketeers, Taxi and Bus drivers K160, 000 cash as an empowerment.
The President through Chingola Member Parliament Matthew Nkhuwa presented K80, 000 cash to women in Chingola’s Riverside as startup capital for chicken rearing and peanut butter making.
The President also presented another K80, 000 evolving fund to marketeers, the National Traders and Marketeers Association (NATMAZ), Bus and Taxi drivers at Chingola’s Town centre.
Mr Nkhuwa said the women in Chingola’s Riverside had requested for empowerment and he too approached the Head of State to help with the Presidential Empowerment Fund.
He said women are meticulous with business and he had no doubt that they will put the money to good use.
His next stop was at Town centre bus station where he again handed over K80, 000 on behalf of the President to the marketeers, Taxi and Bus drivers.
Mr Nkhuwa said the money given to the marketeers and drivers is evolving funds and he doesn’t want it to be given with interest.
He said marketeers and drivers deserve soft loans from government.
And Jennipher Kabwe of Riverside thanked both Mr Nkhuwa and President Lungu for the empowerment which will see the women venture in chicken rearing and peanut butter making.
Speaking for the marketeers, Marketeers’ Coordinator Vera Chishimba said the empowerment had come at the right time when business was affected by the impact of coronavirus.
Edward Makungu who spoke on behalf of the drivers said transport is the driver of the economy and giving drivers evolving fund is ensuring that the wheels of the economy continue turning.
