Chieftaness Shimukunami of Lufwanyama has personally committed to monitor the implementation of social protection programmes, to ensure government’s efforts of improving the welfare of the people is not done in vain.

She notes that government is doing everything possible to uplift the living standards of the vulnerable, but sustaining that agenda requires strict monitoring, so that people do not abuse such life changing opportunities.

Speaking when Community Development and Social Services Minister, Ms. Doreen Mwamba paid a courtesy call on her, Chieftaness Shimukunami applauded government for implementing social protection programmes which have benefited many people in her chiefdom.

She told the Minister that she has taken personal interest to monitor how beneficiaries of social protection programmes are using the money they get, so that people are able to derive tangible personal growth, as opposed to misusing the funds on vices such as beer drinking among others.

The traditional leader is happy with the consistency of the social protection programmes, which have resulted in people getting their money or various support on time.

And Chieftaness Shimukunami has pledged to help with the identification process of more people that should be added onto the programme.

This follows Ms. Mwamba’s plea for traditional leaders to use their influence to help identify more people, especially the elderly to be included on the programme.

And speaking earlier, Ms. Mwamba expressed confidence that hunger and extreme poverty in the country can end if stakeholders can work together with a common vision.

She said her Ministry has continued to recieve goodwill from many Cooperating Partners, adding that what is required is to identify more people to be put on various social protection programmes because support is available.