By Lisa Lamya
Vice President, Dr. Michael Usi, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to start disbursing National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) loans to business persons in the populous Ndirande Township come August 2024.
Usi said this after touring Ndirande Main Market in Blantyre on Monday where he also bought some food stuffs such as fresh fruits and vegetables from traders there.
“Government is committed to see your businesses grow; therefore, I urge you to form groups so that when we start disbursing these loans no one should be left out. I must say that these loans are for all persons regardless of their political affiliation,” Usi said.
According to Usi, Malawi’s biggest problem is poverty and government is working tirelessly to address this problem so that its people can improve their livelihoods.
“There are a lot of campaign pledges we made, we are taking stock of what has gone right and committed to improve on things that have not gone well. The goal is to fight poverty so that we build a new Malawi. I believe, if we work together, this will be achieved,” Usi said.
Usi, however, called on the custodians of the loans to ensure all deserving business persons access the loans and implored on those taking loans to ensure they pay back so that others can access them as well.
Chairperson for Ndirande Main Market Vendors, Chancy Chidoni, asked government to consider improving infrastructure at the market and loans to the vendors, among other things.
“Let me take this opportunity to ask government to fix our roads here, this will ensure smooth operations of our businesses. In addition, we want a youth centre so that our young people can socialize,” Chidoni said.
