People hail social cash transfer Programme
People in Karonga have commended government for introducing the Social Cash Transfer Programme, saying it has transformed their lives.
Speaking yesterday when Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare introduced e-payment in the district, Traditional Authority (T/A) Kalonga said many beneficiaries are now running small-scale businesses.
He said, as a result, some people have constructed decent houses using the proceeds from their businesses.
“However, I thank government for introducing e-payment because it will reduce expenses such as transport that beneficiaries incurred to get the money,” said the chief.
One of the beneficiaries, Jean Mwakikunga, said she bought goats and pigs from the money she received under the programme.
She said: “I decided to venture in livestock farming to ensure that I don’t slide back into poverty.
“Now I can pay school fund for my children in primary school.”
On his part, the ministry’s principal social welfare officer Jane Chidengu said government has introduced e-payment to reduce some of the challenges the programme was facing such as delayed payment and fraud.
She said: “Since social cash transfer was introduced in 2012, payments have been done manually, thereby increasing the risk of theft. Manual payment also involved human resources from the councils.
“We want to deal with these challenges.”
Karonga District has 7 484 beneficiaries from all the five T/As.
Government is set to roll out e-payment in the implementation of Social Cash Transfer Programme in the country by 2022 after piloting the system in Ntcheu and Balaka districts.
Social Cash Transfer Programme is a social protection initiative run by government targeting ultra-poor and labour-constrained household by granting them support in form of cash transfers.
