By Isaac Salima
Some Blantyre residents have faulted council officials for lacking transparency in registering recipients of K150,000 per month, an initiative the government is implementing to cushion people from effects of the lean season.
Last month, Finance Minister Simplex Chithyola Banda announced that some underprivileged people would be receiving K150,000 to cushion them from the effects of the 44 percent devaluation of the Kwacha.
However, some residents— notably those from townships such as Chimwankhunda, Machinjiri and Ndirande— have cried foul over the way beneficiaries have been identified.
Others claim that they are being asked to share K150,000 among themselves.
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Mike Mlangali from Bangwe Township said they were surprised to be told that they had to be in a group of five people, who would then share the money.
“We registered without any problem but we were surprised to get communication that we would be in a group of five and that we would be sharing the K150,000. What can one do with K30,000?” Mlangali queried.
Another concerned resident, Agnes Maida, said it is not good to increase the number of beneficiaries and, then, be giving them less than K150,000.
“Let us accept that the money cannot benefit anyone,” she said.
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The development comes after there was chaos at Chimwankhunda Primary School in Blantyre on Friday during the registration of names when some people accused officials of lacking transparency.
“Let those that deserve inclusion in the programme be registered without any underhand dealings,” said one of the residents, Robert Akimu.
Ward councillors, area development committee members, block leaders and traditional leaders have been used to identify beneficiaries.
Blantyre City Council Chief Executive Officer Dennis Chinseu said that they received some complaints on the issue, adding that they acted on the concerns.
“We sent some officials, who addressed those concerns. Basically, it was about alleged bias in the identification of names but, now, we have not received any complaint,” Chinseu said.
The Ministry of Gender is implementing the initiative and its spokesperson Pauline Kaude said they are yet to receive a complaint related to the same.
