Chakwera meets vendors, religious leaders

Public dialogue between President Lazarus Chakwera and representatives of Blantyre city vendors at Sanjika Palace on Thursday highlighted the traders’ frustrations in accessing National Economic Empowerment Fund (Neef) loans.

During the meeting which started around 4pm the President listened as representatives of various trades and occupations in the country’s commercial city, poured out their grievances and concerns.

Among other speakers, officers from two lending institutions, Neef and National Bank of Malawi, spoke on the loans available to vendors.

Neef regional manager for the South, Copeland Ngwira, disclosed that since February 2021, they have disbursed K86 billion to 158 000 beneficiaries across the country with a loan recovery rate of 72 percent.

Said Ngwira: “In the Southern Region, we have disbursed K98 million to 57 960 beneficiaries with a recovery rate of 77 percent, a sign that we are doing well. He added that the money is still available for the vendors to access.”

But market vendors’ representative Mervis Lattif said he was disappointed that Neef was painting a rosy picture about the loans when they were experiencing a lot of problems from the institution.

“We are usually told the boss is not around, come again tomorrow. This causes a lot of inconvenience to us.

“Again, we are asked for collateral of either a car or a house while, for instance, the loan you want is a mere K200 000.”

Taking his turn, tailors, shoe shiners and other street businesses representative Vaison Fakelo complained about the time prescribed for repaying the loans. He said the minimum of a month’s grace stifles business growth.

Commenting on the concerns, Chakwera said vendors’ loans should not require collateral and that lending laws should not be punitive.

Said Chakwera: “The nature of some businesses does not warrant one to start paying back the loan within a month. It is a process. People should not kill themselves over a loan.”

He further acknowledged the traders’ varying concerns citing how people in developed countries work together to achieve success. He also condemned the spirit of jealousy among Malawians.

Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda commended the President for having an audience with members of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), saying they are at the heart of the country’s development.

About 600 business people including second-hand car and timber dealers, tailors, welders, market vendors, as well as minibus operators attended the meeting.

Earlier Chakwera had an audience with pastors in a closed door meeting. Speaking in an interview leader of delegation Apostle Samuel Vinkhumbo, who is also president of Ministers Network International, called on fellow faith leaders to support the President in fulfilling his development vision.

On his part, presidential special adviser on religious affairs Reverend Brian Kamwendo said the President invited the over 300 religious leaders to seek spiritual guidance.