(LUSAKATIMES) Govt defends its rigidity with the CEEF

Govt defends its rigidity with the CEEF
January 27, 2009

CHOMA District Commissioner Laiven Apuleni has defended government against accusations of rigidity in the approval and disbursement of money to applicants under the Citizenship Economic Empowered Fund (CEEF).
Mr. Apuleni says government is just being cautious to ensure that the history of poor repayment that had characterized similar empowerment programmes in the past did not occur.

He was speaking in Choma yesterday when he opened a two weeks training programme in bricklaying and entrepreneurship organized by Choma trades institute.

Mr. Apuleni said government is cognizant of the setbacks in previous empowerment schemes which had failed to achieve their intended purpose as beneficiaries abused the facility by failing to pay back.

He said government would want to ensure that beneficiaries of funds under the CEEF are those with capacity to pay back.

Mr Apuleni encouraged business persons wishing to access the fund to come up with partnerships that will formulate business project proposals that can attract funding.

And Mr. Apuleni has bemoaned the shortage of adequate skilled personnel to work in the booming construction in the country.

Mr Apuleni said it is government’s desire that more people acquire necessary skills so as to effectively compete for jobs in the construction industry.

He said government through the ministry of science and technology has devised a policy that will provide short intensive courses to empower Zambians with the needed skills in the construction sector.

Mr Apuleni noted that there has been an increase in construction activities due to the prudent economic policies of the MMD Government.

He said it would not argue well for foreign investors to import human resource when Zambians are able to offer similar skills.

Mr Apuleni commended Choma Trades Institute for designing a course and seeking funding from the Technical Education Vocational and Entrepreneurship training Authority (TEVETA) in bricklaying targeting members of the local community.

He also commended TEVETA for the for the financial support saying this was testimony of government’s good policies intended to empower its citizens with skills.

The DC said the course is in line with government policy to encourage and provide for citizens to actively participate in economic development through enterprise development and self employment.

Under the TEVETA support, the institute will train 40 local people in brick laying and entrepreneurship skills.

Speaking earlier, Choma Trades Institute principal Tom Kampamba said the provision of free skills in brick laying and entrepreneurship to the 22 participants is one way government intends empower its citizens.

He disclosed that additional funds have also been secured from TEVEA to train women of Masuku area in Choma in tailoring and also another group of women in Kazungula district would be empowered with bee keeping skills.

ZANIS/CM/MKM/ENDS