By Ireen Mseteka

Likoma, October 21, Mana: Social Cash Transfer Program (SCTP) in Likoma has migrated from manual to electronic payment with the aim of ensuring that all beneficiaries of the initiative receive their stipends in time.

Speaking Monday when he briefed District Executive Committee for Likoma on the development, Principal Social Welfare Officer in the Ministry of Gender who is responsible for manual and electronic payment in the SCTP, Gilbert Kaponda said the development will be effective immediately.

“We want to introduce electronic payment so that all the beneficiaries of the program start receiving their stipends electronically

We are also introducing to you TNM Plc as a service provider through E- Payment Platform who has taken over payment activities from the council because of their mobile money solution and soon they will start registering the beneficiaries,” said Kaponda.

He said Likoma as a district has enrolled 303 beneficiaries saying their cohort was on-boarded in December 2023 hence the program will take them through for four years until December 2027.

Director of Education, Youth and Sports (DEYS) for Likoma District Council, Zimulange Mhango welcomed the E-Payment initiative saying it will curb some of the challenges, which were encountered during manual payment.

“This is a welcome development, as you are aware that this district consists of two islands Likoma and Chizumulu and people were served at different times because we could not cover both islands at a single pay palade.

With this development all the 303 beneficiaries will be accessing their money at the same time besides that the intervention will also address security issues, the money will be secured as it will be going directly to the beneficiaries,” said Mhango

TNM Plc Acting Regional Manager for the north, Bright Banda pledged that his company will ensure that the initiatives never face network and theft involving e-transaction challenges.

“We will make sure that the program is implemented smoothly without any problems, our agents will be placed in all areas across the district so that our services are easily accessed,” said Banda.