Climate-Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme participants in Chiradzulu District have commended the shift from manual payment to electronic payment (e- payment) as it is secure and more convenient.
Chiradzulu District Council switched from manual to e-payment during the programme’s second phase this year.
In an interview on Saturday, Steven Nkwembe, a participant from Chizungulire Catchment in Traditional Authority (T/A) Onga, said previously, they had to travel long distances to payment centres.
“But now, with e-payment system, the money reaches us wherever we are. We don’t have to spend the whole day travelling and waiting on a queue for our turn to receive the money,” he said.
Another participant, James Tiyesi from Namacho Catchment in TA Kadewere said e-payment system has helped him save money as funds deposited electronically can be tracked and managed effectively.
“This shift has empowered us to have greater control over our finances and reduce our vulnerability to theft and exploitation,” he said.
Chiradzulu District Council Climate-Smart Ehanced Public Works Programme desk officer Chimwemwe Hara said money-related grievances among participants have decreased since the introduction of e-payment system in the district.
He said: “Since we were visiting many catchment areas daily, sometimes we were arriving late which put participants at the risk of being robbed on their way back home.
“Again, errors in manual payments such as participants receiving too much or too little money have been resolved with the new system.”
