THE growing tendency by some organisations and individuals to shun repaying Government loans must come to an end.
Government has been disbursing money across the country under the women’s village banking cycle which is a credit lending initiative aimed at empowering vulnerable but viable women, especially those in rural areas, to embark on income-generating activities.
The women’s village banking cycle programme was premised on the idea of a revolving fund and as such, sustainability of the programme will be greatly dependant on these beneficiaries paying back loans.
However, it is sad that most beneficiaries decide not to pay back the loans under the pretext that it is of no use repaying Government money.
There is need for people to start thinking outside the box and realise that there are many other people out there who are still waiting to benefit from such empowerment programmes.
As Chipata District Commissioner Kalunga Zulu observed, there is a tendency by people to acquire funds from the government with intent of not paying back in full.
Many at times we have heard of how generous Government has been in trying to help the vulnerable in society through various projects but many seem just to be interested in pocketing the money which they waste without wanting to repay.
Thus, the decision by Government to start vigorously enforcing the law on those who shall be found wanting is a welcome move.
Many projects have failed to progress due to some selfish individuals who have decided to chew the money which is meant to benefit other people from other areas of the country as well as growing the projects.
Sensitisation programmes need to be put in place to ensure that these beneficiaries are well abreast on how to use the money for the intended purposes so that beneficiaries regenerate money which they can use to pay back the loans for others can benefit.
There is also need for continuous assessments among people who receive these funds in order to avert a situation where the beneficiaries are found in a bad position and are not able to repay the funds.
In this case field workers should be able to guide and monitor the women’s groups to ensure that the money is put to good use.
However, it has been noted that the Zambian women are hard working and are also responsible, hence the decision by Government to empower them.
Government equally needs to check out officials handling these projects because some connive by coming up with fake registrations just to get their hands on the money for their own benefits instead of directing it to the needy.
It will be important that necessary action is taken against all those that abuse this facility so that misuse could come to an end thereby making the women banking project grow as money will be paid back in the revolving fund for others to benefit.