‘PF won't use money meant for poverty alleviation as a political tool'

‘PF won't use money meant for poverty alleviation as a political tool'
By Misheck Wangwe in Chingola
Mon 06 Feb. 2012, 12:59 CAT

A LOT of money meant for community development was abused and used for political expedience in the previous MMD government, says Dr Joseph Katema.

In an interview on Thursday, Dr Katema, who is Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Affairs, said the PF government will not use money meant for poverty alleviation as a political tool.

He said the ministry had laid down structures which remained dormant for a long time due to widespread corruption in the previous regime.

Dr Katema said it was sad that despite having community and social welfare officers at community and national level, resources were not trickling down for them to execute their duties in the interest of the nation due to corruption in the system.

He said his ministry was working hard to depoliticize the system and create an enabling environment for the majority poor to have access to services in an effort to enhance human integral development.

"Everyone saw what was happening in this country when we talk about corruption and misuse of public funds. In this ministry, we know that funds were put aside for women and youth empowerment but it was given to cadres.

"You cannot abuse an economic tool which is important for poverty alleviation. That was unacceptable and it has come to an end," Dr Katema said.

He said committees such as the Food Security Pack (FSP) and Community Welfare Assistance Committees (CWACS) would be helping the ministry at national level to identify the needs of various groups and households.

Dr Katema said the vision of the PF government through the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child was to end poverty, reduce child mortality rates due to malnutrition and other related diseases.

"I' am not going to stand before a crowd of people as community minister and start dishing out money to wrong people like it used to happen. We know our people need development in their communities; they want empowerment to better their lives and prevent diseases that kill our children and mothers due to poverty. We will identify our people through the laid down system and they will start seeing benefits," said Dr Katema.