GOVERNMENT has challenged cooperatives to be innovative so that they can contribute to the country’s development positively.

Mpika District Small and Medium Enterprise Development Officer Reagan Ntalasha says out of over 1000 cooperatives in the area, only 41 have viable businesses and traceable assets.

Mr. Ntalasha was speaking during a meeting of Heads of Government Departments in Mpika district.

He said that cooperatives must learn to seriously engage in various business ventures that will make them more economically viable and stable.

“I’m challenging cooperatives to emulate the Share Cooperative of Musakanya ward in Mpika, which has seriously ventured into mining and has so far managed to buy a bus and mining tools,” he said.

So far, twelve cooperatives have applied to the Ministry of Mining and Mineral Development to get mining licenses in Mpika district.

He stressed that his office is prepared to provide guidance on how cooperatives can be utilised to create employment opportunities, thereby reducing poverty in the district.

And speaking earlier at the same meeting, Mpika District Commissioner David Siame urged cooperatives to be focused and develop viable ideas that will be sustainable and improve their livelihood.

Mr Siame said the Government attaches great importance to establishing commercial groups like cooperatives as their productivity can greatly contribute to the development of the country.

And speaking in a separate interview, John Sinyenza from Kakabalika Cooperative in Musakanya Ward of Mpika district said cooperatives can be a vital platform to bring remarkable financial change if well utilized.

“It’s sad that many cooperatives do not take the objective of a cooperative seriously,” Mr Sinyenza said.