The Kalomo Town Council has so far disbursed a total of K17,472,600.00 to the 29, 121 beneficiaries who participated in the cash for work programme from its phase one to phase five.
Council Public Relations Officer, Mary Muponda disclosed this to ZANIS saying the programme has hatched out some significant value for money projects such as weir dams, construction and completion of both school and health infrastructure through the labour rendered by the beneficiaries in several zones of the district.
Ms Muponda disclosed that among the notable projects include the establishment of Mafwafwa and Siamusunse weir dams in Dundumwezi constituency, construction of school feeding shelters in various learning institutions, completion of a 1×2 classroom block at Malala community school through labour based initiative after the communities mobilised up-front materials for the projects.
She stated that some crossing points in both Kalomo Central and Dundumwezi have also been worked on alongside clearing and unblocking of township drainages in the central business district.
Meanwhile, Kalomo Council Chairperson, Coy Makaya has described the Cash for work as a two-fold initiative that has greatly impacted on the welfare of several households as well as leaving behind tangible socio-economic projects in communities that would improve people’s livelihood.
Mr Makaya appreciated the programme saying that apart from assisting the drought affected households in the district to enable them to fend for their domestic needs, the programme has managed to come up with tangible outcomes that have the value for the money paid to beneficiaries.
He has since urged Ward Development Committees to work hand in hand with zonal leaders in their respective areas to ensure that they prioritise areas of importance when selecting projects that would be of benefit in their communities.
And some civic leaders also thanked the government for coming up with such an initiative which has not only alleviated hunger among the affected households in the district but instead has left a significant socio-economic change in communities.
And Naluja ward Councilor, Valentia Simwale notes that both the Mafwafwa and Siamusunse weir dams which came into being as a result of the cash for work will remain as landmark entities in his ward.
Meanwhile, Kalomo District Commissioner, Joshua Sikaduli has commended the civic leaders for managing the cash for work programme despite earlier challenges which were faced to pay beneficiaries on time.
