Apply for loans, PWDs told

Conrad Mupesa

Mashonaland West Bureau

PEOPLE with disabilities should take advantage of the Government’s loan scheme introduced to benefit and support them towards establishing income generating projects.

While the Government, through the Social Development Department under the Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Ministry provides assistance to people with disabilities (PWD), underprivileged and the elderly, it was noted that it is imperative for them to venture into various projects as a way of improving their livelihoods.

That way, they will move away from the dependency syndrome.

Mashonaland West provincial social development officer, Mrs Agnes Mutowo challenged people with disabilities to access the loans whose repayment terms are flexible and tailor-made to suit their needs.

She was speaking in Norton on Thursday during commemorations of the belated provincial International Day of People with Disabilities where attendees drawn from across the province, were entertained by rising songbird, Chipo Muchegwa of the “Ndizvo Zvandiri” fame.

“I want to encourage you (PWD) to apply for these loans that are tailor-made to suit your needs as far as starting income-generating projects is concerned. The maximum loan that one can access is US$400 available at prevailing interbank market rate and period of repaying is between six months to one year. The figure might look small, but many have started businesses that have become viable.

“Government continues to provide institutional support in the form of administrative and educational grants in the form of Basic Education Assistance Module (BEAM) to registered institutions,” she said.

She called on all Government ministries and departments to mainstream disability in their programmes to help produce comprehensive efforts to support people with disabilities.

In her remarks, guest speaker, Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland West, Mary Mliswa-Chikoka challenged organisations to incorporate people with disabilities into economic matrix of the nation towards achieving Vision 2030.

“People with disabilities should be given opportunities to venture into enterprising projects. They should access inputs under the climate-proofed Presidential Pfumvudza Scheme and Zimbabwe should benefit from the efforts of its citizens including those with disabilities.

“This is the reason why the Second Republic through the leadership of President Mnangagwa is talking of an upper-middle-income by 2030 which shouldn’t leave anyone behind,” she added.

She said political parties should desist from only soliciting for votes from disabled people, but neglecting their needs and welfare.

“As the theme for this year’s celebrations reads, ‘Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities towards an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post Covid-19’ we should applaud the Government for remembering them through their appointments in key strategic positions.”

National Disability Board chairperson, Mr George Mugove said the Second Republic was walking the talk on empowering them before urging members to work hard towards supporting their families and contributing towards the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Gift Karenga (41) from Kariba, who is into shoe manufacturing, said his business was failing to grow as a result of poor capital injection.