The government says it has this year disbursed K82 million to over 18,000 Social Cash Transfer (SCT) beneficiaries in Kabwe District, Central Province.

A Social Welfare Officer at the district office Stephen Chaduka says the Department of Social Welfare is happy with the way the funds are being used by the beneficiaries.

Speaking in an interview with ZANIS in Kabwe, Mr Chaduka said most of the beneficiaries have invested the funds in livestock farming and other business ventures.

“We have paid out K82 million to Social Cash Transfer beneficiaries here in Kabwe. These include those who are under Emergency Social Cash Transfer (ESCT),” Mr Chaduka said.

The disbursement of K82 million to beneficiaries in the district, he said,  is a clear demonstration of government’s commitment towards improving the welfare of the vulnerable members of society, especially.

The SCT programme has over the years shown that individuals and households under the programme have recorded notable improvements in their lives.

“The SCT programme aims at reducing extreme poverty and eradicating the intergenerational transfer of poverty in households covered by the programme,” he stressed.

Mr Chaduka said the ESCT programme is still under implementation.

The Government has been implementing the SCT programme through the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services since 2003 targeting vulnerable households in the community.