Chadiza Town Council, in collaboration with the District Administration and other Government Departments, has successfully engaged 13,831 residents through the government’s Cash for Work Programme. The Programme, designed to provide essential drought relief and enhance local infrastructure, will engage an additional 4,930 workers in February as part of ongoing support for vulnerable households in the district.
“We have successfully engaged 13,831 people across all twenty wards in various public works, including road maintenance and garbage collection. In February, an additional 4,930 workers will join the Programme, funded by January’s allocation,” said Chadiza Town Council Secretary Mwansa Mumba.
The Council is working closely with structured entities already established in different zones to identify eligible beneficiaries, ensuring the programme reaches those most in need. Each participant earns K60 per day for ten working days per month, offering vital income support during this period of drought and economic hardship.
“The programme is not just about providing income support; it is also transforming our local infrastructure,” Mumba added. “Our workers are involved in activities such as road maintenance, drainage improvement, and vegetation control. We’ve also taken advantage of the programme to clear trees and vegetation along planned road routes, ensuring the smooth implementation of future rehabilitation works.”
The vegetation clearance is an important step in the Council’s broader goal of rehabilitating 100 kilometers of roads under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), which will significantly improve local transportation and stimulate economic growth across the district.
Launched by the Government of Zambia in response to the 2023/2024 farming season drought, the Cash for Work Programme targets vulnerable households in areas not covered by existing Social Cash Transfer schemes. By offering cash in exchange for labor on community based public works, the programme provides immediate economic relief while supporting long-term infrastructure development.
