Chief Social Cash Transfer Programs Officer in the Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare, Anastazio Matewere says government has increased social cash transfer programme (SCTP) beneficiary households in Likoma from 222 to 323.
Speaking Monday during an Extra Ordinary Full Council meeting, Matewere said the increase follows a re-targeting exercise which the ministry conducted in the district to ensure that more deserving households benefit from the safety-net program.
“It is the wish of the government and donors to see more deserving households benefitting from the social cash transfer programme.
“Government is supporting the underprivileged families so that they are able to meet their basic needs which will in turn help to reduce poverty, malnutrition and improve school enrolment,” Matewere said.
He said each beneficiary household will be receiving K9,000 monthly, through mobile money service providers.
“Currently, each household will be receiving monthly payments of K9,000 each. However, discussions are underway between government and the development partners to adjust the transfer amount upwards due to rising costs of living,” Matewere said.
District Council Chairperson, Councillor Barnabus Sambaniso thanked Government for increasing the number of beneficiary households in Likoma, saying that many eligible families had been left out during the previous beneficiary identification exercise.
Reported by Splendor Nguluwe