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Trade Minister Ntabazi Launches PDM Program In Iganga

  • WARNS BENEFICIARIES AGAINST USING FUNDS TO SETTLE BANK LOANS

BY EMMA LWASI

In Iganga

State minister for trade, industry and cooperatives Ntabazi Harriet has officially launched the Parish Development Model program in Iganga district which she says will eradicate poverty from the over 42 parishes in the district.

She however, warns that the PDM funds are not for settling debts with banks or money lenders but for doing other businesses mostly for agricultural activities.

“This program is to eradicate poverty from Ugandans more especially from parish levels upwards. Starting from today, make sure you pay back the funds in time to enable other members to benefit from the program” Ntabazi said.

She said the PDM is designed to benefit the 38% of the people at the parish level who cannot afford to save money for the future use. Ntabazi warned government officials and professionals against benefiting from these funds, saying anyone caught will be prosecuted.

She explained that this project will run for three consecutive years at a low interest rate and then, more funds will be added in the groups.

Meanwhile, NRM chairperson Iganga district, hajji Abubaker Walubi emphasized the need for transparency among the executive members from different parishes noting that leaders are the major causes of the downfall of each group. He asked them to trace each member who receives this fund to avoid landing themselves into trouble in future.

The RDC Wandela Sadala warned the beneficiaries who are being used by the politicians to get this funds and deduct a certain percentage to their accounts, saying the system has no particulars of the politician but the one to pay back that money.

He said his office had registered complaints against a number of parish chiefs who are asking for registration fee of groups, saying this has led to many to shun government programs.

Iganga district has received over Shs3bn.

FIELD INSPECTORS

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