By MILDRED KATONGO –
MORE than 1,000 vendors and marketeers on the Copperbelt have accessed the presidential loan scheme aimed at improving their businesses.
President Edgar Lungu has given K1.6 million as a revolving fund to vendors and marketeers to help grow and sustain their businesses.
Copperbelt Foundation for Vendors and Traders president Jack Kalemba said almost all the districts in the province had accessed the funds apart from Luanshya and Mpongwe.
Mr Kalemba urged the maketeers and vendors to pay back the money as it was a revolving fund aimed at empowering everyone.
He said this week, the facility would reach beneficiaries in Luanshya and Mpongwe.
“More than 1,000 people have accessed the loans. My concern is that people should pay back what has been given to them to help others benefit also.
“This week we are going to disburse the funds to Luanshya and Mpongwe vendors and marketeers,” he said.
Mr Kalemba urged traders not to listen to people who were busy spreading lies to malign the presidential initiative.
He said the association had taken note of some people who were trying to cause confusion by telling the vendors and maketeers that had accessed the funds not to pay back.
Mr Kalemba said the money was a revolving fund targeted at all the traders.
He said other traders did not understand the move behind a revolving fund, and that was the reason they were being cheated by dishonest people that they should not pay back.
Mr Kalemba appealed to the traders who had already accessed the funds to pay back and help empower others.