KELVIN MBEWE, Lusaka
THE Presidential Empowerment Initiative Fund (PEIF) has released K200,000 to empower marketeers who lost goods worth thousands of Kwacha when fire swept through Lusaka City Market.

PEIF patron Chanda Kabwe advised the beneficiaries to put the money to good use to ensure they restore their businesses.
Mr Kabwe said the release of K200,000 reaffirms President Lungu’s commitment towards the development of the informal sector to enable it contribute to the growth of the country’s economy.
He said this in Lusaka on Tuesday when he met some of the victims.
“Human development is pillar number one when it comes to developing a nation. It is for this reason that we want to empower you the victims of the fires. President Lungu is still saddened that your businesses were adversely affected,” he said.
Mr Kabwe, who is also Central Province permanent secretary, expressed sadness at people who use money to incite young people to destroy other people’s hard-earned investments.
“Money should be used to help the poor and not to kill other people’s businesses,” he said.
And PEIF national co-ordinator Clement Tembo said the money is not a loan but a revolving fund.
“To those that have not yet benefited, don’t lose hope, your time is coming,” he said.
Mr Tembo cautioned marketeers not to be hoodwinked into paying for application forms.