By Chiluba Chabi
Forty-one businesses and groups in Chingola have received empowerment loans under the Nchanga Constituency Development Fund.
The symbolic handover of the empowerment loans was held at the Civic Centre Grounds on Thursday where 41 Businesses, Cooperatives, Groups and individuals where empowered.
Speaking after receiving the loan agreement forms Enala Tembo one of the beneficiaries expressed gratitude toward Government through the Local Authority.
Ms Tembo thanked Government for improving the live hood and making their dreams come true.
She said that under the New Dawn Government various funds were now available for all citizenry.
And Nchanga Member of Parliament Derricky Chilundika officiated the handover ceremony urged the beneficiaries to utilize the funds prudently.
Mr Chilundika who is also Luapula Provincial Minister thanked the President for ensuring that CDF was increased and disbursed to all the Constituencies on time.
He outlined a number of Projects that were done under the 2022 CDF as well as those that had been identified for 2023.
And Chingola Mayor Johnson Kang’ombe thanked the New Dawn Government for making it possible for residents of Nchanga Constituency to benefit from the Empowerment Loans.
Mr Kang’ombe urged the beneficiaries to share their success stories on the various social platforms such as Facebook.
Others present at the event were the Deputy Mayor, Cllr. Richard Kabwe, Councillors, the District Commissioner Raphael Chimupi, the Town Clerk Ms. Namukolo Kalufyanya, the District Administration Officer Mr. Moonze, Director of Development Planning Ms. Naomi Sakala, Chingola Municipal Council management and staff, Ward Development Committee leaders, beneficiaries.
A total of K2 934 349 million was disbursed in loans to the selected applicants that are operating in various sectors such as transport, agriculture, block making, graphics, secretarial services and health. Indo Zambia Bank earlier in the morning briefed the beneficiaries on how to go about the loan applications and how to manage the intended businesses viably.
The funds have been invested in machinery, recapitalization and expansion.
