Likoma Parliamentarian Lobbying For More NEEF Loan Beneficiaries
Parliamentarian for Likoma District, Ashems Songwe says he will continue lobbying financial institutions to follow what the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) has done for establishing offices to support people on Likoma and Chizumulu Islands.
Commenting from the capital city, Lilongwe soon after the rising of this year’s national budget meeting of Parliament, Songwe said people on the islands have shown how serious they are towards uplifting their livelihoods hence achieving the 93 percent loan repayment rate in last year’s National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) loan disbursement programme.
“In the first place people thought that I was taking a huge risk advising NEEF officials to establish an office on the island but we had already prepared them, we trained them properly and through that collective efforts today we are proud of ourselves,” Songwe said.
The parliamentarian further stated that this year again he will ensure that the NEEF Loan disbursement program should benefit another significant number of beneficiaries in Likoma District.
Speaking during the stakeholders engagement on NEEF and its operation modalities in Likoma some months ago the financial lending institution’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Humphrey Mdyetseni applauded Likoma District for being exemplary in repaying loans.
Providing an update on the operation progress in the district Mdyetseni said people of Likoma have managed to surpass every district in the country seconded by Rumphi district which scored 83 percent loan repayment rate adding that it is of paramount importance for people to repay the loans for the sustainability of the money-lending institution and the benefit of more people.
“The average repayment for Likoma District is 93 percent and it is the highest countrywide which means that the district is performing exceptionally well in as far as loans repayment is concerned, so we thank the people of Likoma for the good gesture which will go a long way in sustaining our operations,” said Mdyetseni.
Chairperson for Area Development Committee (ADC) for Likoma South, Matthews Manyuka, the district has managed to achieve the status due to team work amongst the people who acquired the loans, chiefs and loan officers while acknowledging NEEF officials for appreciating and recognizing the achievement.
