OVER 1,000 people in Mongu District have benefited from the cash for work since the commencement of the programme.

Council Assistant Public Relations Manager, Abigail Sitenge has disclosed that a total sum of K472,200 was paid to 787 beneficiaries in August in all the 27 wards of the district. 

Ms Sitenge adds that in September, 300 beneficiaries were paid at a cost of K201,000, stating that each beneficiary is being paid K600 for ten days working period. 

She said this in a press statement made available to ZANIS today and indicated that the payments are ongoing as the local authority has received another funding from the Ministry for the month of October. 

“Over 1,000 cash for work beneficiaries have been paid since the programme commenced in which K472,200 has been paid to 787 across various wards so far under August allocation.

“Under the September allocation, the local authority received a total of K2, 954,085 from the Ministry of which K2O1, 000 has so far been paid to over 300 beneficiaries and the payments are ongoing,” Ms Sitenge said.

She, however, disclosed that the council is facing challenges as regards to paying certain beneficiaries especially those from Nalikwanda Constituency as they are using Zamtel network which has not been incorporated on ZANACO bank payment platform.

Ms Sitenge attributed the other challenge to the inaccurate phone numbers submitted by some beneficiaries causing a delay in payment. 

She said the local authority is working towards resolving the stated challenges as the finance department is paying the beneficiaries after verification of names and contact numbers to ensure that they tally. 

“We have faced a few challenges as regards to Zamtel payments. Most beneficiaries from Nalikwanda constituency use Zamtel network which unfortunately is not on the ZANACO payment platform,” Ms Sitenge said.