NORTH-WESTERN Province Permanent Secretary Grandson Katambi says President Hakainde Hichilema attaches great importance to social security programmes that are aimed at poverty reduction being implemented under the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services.

Col Katambi (Rtd) cited the social cash transfer programme among others that are aimed at benefiting the vulnerable people to improve their livelihoods.

He said this when a team of officers from the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services paid a courtesy call on him in Solwezi today.

Col Katambi (Rtd) urged officers to  intensify sensitisations on the programme among others being implemented under their Ministry so that more vulnerable people benefit from the initiative.

And Solwezi District Commissioner Tradeson Mulofwa said the District has seen significant change in the social economic status through the social cash transfer beneficiary households.

“Household are now able to buy school requirements for their children, buy food for their consumption, buy  livestock, build decent shelter, contribute to cooperatives  and buy farming inputs and many other sustainable development ventures,” Mr Mulofwa said.

Mr Mulofwa said since the inception of the social cash transfer programme in the District,it has met it’s objective of reducing extreme poverty and vulnerability hence contributing to the food security of the country.

And Ministry of Community Development and Social Services  IEC Principal Planner Mpande Mutandwa said the team is in the province to document many success stories on the programmes have positively impact on people’s livelihoods.

The social cash transfer programme in Solwezi  started in 2017 with a total caseload of 2,700 beneficiaries which has now increased to 8,999.