Government has urged District Commissioners to take keen interest in monitoring social protection programmes and ensure that intended beneficiaries are reached.

Community development minister Olipa Phiri says this is because District Commissioners are government’s link pins in ensuring effective implementation of programmes such as social cash transfer (SCT) , among others.

“ .Effective implementation of programmes such as social cash transfer (SCT) , women empowerment and village banking need the involvement of all, “she said.

She said it is President Edgar Lungu’s vision of reducing poverty and bettering lives of the citizens needs the support of all government offices if it is to be realized.

The Minister was speaking when she called on acting Solwezi District Commissioner Anthony Fulwe in Solwezi today.

Ms Phiri said DCs should ensure that officers identify and include eligible beneficiaries on social security programmes.

And Mr Fulwe said the district needs more people to be included on social protection programmes because of the huge population.

A number of vulnerable people are not benefiting from the programmes under the ministry of community development hence the need to increase the number of beneficiaries.

This is part of government’s empowerment programmes in the country among them Social Cash Transfer Schemes,among others.

These government’s initiatives have tremendously helped the vulnerable people to sustain their lives.