TIZ seeks answers on presidential empowerment loan scheme

Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) has written to the Secretary to the Treasury seeking clarification on the presidential empowerment loan scheme for marketers.

TIZ Executive Director Goodwell Lungu says his organisation wants to know the source of the presidential initiative fund for marketers and bus drivers.

Mr. Lungu says TIZ also wants to know what guiding procedures or transparent ways of identifying the beneficiaries are if the source of the funds is public funds, and which ministry the initiative is budgeted for.

He states that answering these questions will help the public understand the initiative and in order for people to avoid speculating that it may be a scheme aimed at winning the August 2016 elections.

Mr. Lungu says TIZ is not against any schemes meant to empower Zambians, but that it is ultimately opposed to schemes that simply divert public funds and were not budgeted for.