EASTERN Province Chiefs applauds President Hakainde Hichilema’s decision to extend cash for work program(CFW) beyond June, stating that it will help their people, mostly those who depends on it.
This was after government through Permanent Secretary (Technical Services) in the Ministry of Local Government, Nicolas Phiri announced to the chiefs during a consultative meeting that President Hichilema has extended cash for work programme up to 2026.
Initially, the programme was set to end in June, but government extended it to help provide a way to quickly and directly address economic hardships and poverty.
Cash for work was introduced during the 2023/2024 drought season to provide a cushion to the harsh environment that had been triggered by climate change into the pockets of people, affecting income and livelihood.
Phiri said offering cash for work programs empowers individuals to earn a living and contribute to local development.
“The introduction of cash for work as a special fund that assist citizens who were negatively affected by the drought effects boosts citizen’s income to buy food and other necessities.”
“As partners in development, traditional leaders need to take part in the selection of which projects are to be done, selection of cash for work beneficiaries as well as identification of works to be undertaken for the interest of the community,” Phiri said.
Phiri visited areas in Chipata which are actively engaged in work programs, encouraged them to continue.
Traditional Leaders Council chairperson Chief Mnukwa of the Ngoni in Chipata has welcomed the move.
“To us chiefs, cash for work programme is a welcome move, it helps people especially our farmers who mostly depended on it after the drought. This should continue, our people in villages depends on farming and when the rains stop, this programme really helps,” he said.
Chief Mnukwa said government should continue with the project, and allocate more money for temporal employment.
Meanwhile, Government through the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, allocated K3.2 million to each constituency across the country for the improvement of feeder roads in constituencies.
“Last year, rural accessibility covered 3,000 kilometers of feeder roads. This year, we plan to expand it by an additional 7,080 kilometers, with K3.2 million allocated per constituency for fuel and lubricants to ensure consistent operations under CDF,” said Phiri.
By Lucy Phiri
Kalemba June 9, 2025
