Published On December 5, 2019 » 18761 Views»
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By FRANCINA CHOMBA
VICE President Inonge Wina says Zambia is optimistic that the Swedish Government will soon resume funding for the vulnerable people through the Social Cash Transfer programme.
Ms Wina said the withdrawal of funding by the Swedish Government had a negative impact on many Zambians who were benefiting from the programme.
She said the Goverment had taken measure by commencing legal action against the individuals who were involved in the alleged abuse of resources to curb all malpractices in the administration of the scheme.
She said this yesterday when the Swedish Envoy to Zambia Anna Hultgard and her delegation paid a courtesy call on her in Lusaka.
“Zambia has over the years enjoyed cordial relations with the Swedish Government and we are still hopeful that sooner than later the Swedish Government would revisit the issue of supporting the most vulnerable people in Zambia through the scheme…. other clean up measures have been taken and would be shared with the Swedish Government after which consideration of funding resumption will be given, ” Ms Wina said.
She said once the legal proceedings were concluded, the Goverment would engage the Swedish Government and other cooperating partners in the particular programme to discuss how best they could resume funding.
Ms Wina said the Goverment was also designed an electronic platform to be used as a normal funding through Ministry of Community Development and Social Protection with assistance of Smart Zambia.
And Ms Wina said it was imperative to consider forging strong partnership between the two countries which had since independence enjoyed cordial relations.
She commended the Swedish Government for ensuring that the implementing the gender equality policy in that country and that Zambia was making strides to emulate the stance.
Ms Wina thanked Sweden for it its unwavering support in complementing the Government’s effort of achieving its national developmental agenda.
And in response Ms Hultgard said Sweden had continued supporting Zambia through the emergency social cash transfer programme which is being implemented by UNICEF.
Ms Hultgard said her country would continue working with the government in various sectors such as the promotion of gender equality and the fight against child marriage.
