Government Should Distribute Guidelines To Help SME’s - Kalumba

Former Finance Minister Katele Kalumba has called on the government to distribute guidelines on the availability of funds aimed at helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SME’s) affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dr Kalumba praised the government’s initiative in releasing the funds but said it was unfortunate that information regarding them had not been widely disseminated, particularly in rural areas. He worried that many SMEs could miss out on this vital information, totally defeating the purpose of the fund. 

The former minister also lamented the lack of adherence to physical distancing guidelines and other Covid-19 regulations within his own Chienge District. He therefore thanked President Lungu for instructing cabinet ministers and MPs to tour the country, informing people of the importance of such measures. 

Dr Kalimba spoke to Luapula Province Minister Nickson Chilangwa, who is conducting one such informative tour of the province. Mr Chilangwa in turn praised Senior Chiefs Puta and Mununga for running robust educational programmes on coronavirus in their chiefdoms.

Mr Chilangwa also explained that President Lungu remained committed to the construction of the Kashikishi-Chienge-Lunchinda Road in the province. 

This is despite recent advice from the Public Financial Management Consult that the government should hold off on major construction projects while expenditure remains high due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Dr Katele Kalumba