K837 million released for social protection

The Treasury has released K837 million for social protection programmes.

In a statement, Secretary to the Treasury Felix Nkulukusa says of the total amount,K255 million is targeted at pensioners  under the Public Service Pensions Fund(PSPF), and K50 million for those under the Local Authorities Superannuation Fund(LASF).

Mr Nkulukusa says of the total released for social protection,K402 million is for the Social Cash Transfer Programme and K130 million for the Food Security Pack Programme.

He explains that the release of the funds is to ensure sustained and continued protection of the poor, the vulnerable, and pensioners.

Mr Nkulukusa has since urged all implementing agencies of the released funds to ensure that effective payments systems are deployed so that there is no prolonged hardships experienced by citizens, expecially retirees, the poor and the vulnerable.