By Solister Mogha

Zomba, December 29, Mana: Zomba District Commissioner, Reinghard Chavula, has advised beneficiaries of Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) in the district to use money meaningfully particularly by buying food in the lean season with K3.2 billion allocated to support them through lean season cash support.

Chavula made an appeal Saturday during the launch of lean season response of cash to SCTP beneficiaries.

She said as part of cushioning people from hunger government decided to provide K140, 000 cash to each beneficiary instead of maize as a way of improving their livelihood in the lean season.

“All Social Cash Transfer Programme beneficiaries are part of the lean season support for   two months; they will get K140, 000, thus K70, 000 for each month to buy food.

“On top of this lean season support, households will also receive their regular transfers which are a huge contribution from government to the people,” Chavula added.

The District Commissioner therefore advised the beneficiaries never to be carried away   by the huge sums of money but rather prioritizing on important basic household needs purpose.

One of the recipients of the cash, Thom Mapemba, of Traditional Authority Chikowi hailed government for the timely support of the cash.

He said the money received will enable him buy food and maize seeds to be planted in his fields.

“This is something that I never expected. The support has come at the right time when I needed it most and I salute government for the timely response,” Mapemba said.

According to Zomba District Council, a total of K3.2 billion has been allocated to benefit almost 19,730 SCTP beneficiary households through the lean season cash support.