THE Minister of Finance and Economic Development Mthuli Ncube says war veterans must implement income-generating projects as pensions are not enough to sustain all their needs.
An interface with war veterans in Bulawayo this Friday, saw the Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Professor Mthuli Ncube speaking on how the 37.5 million US dollars budget allocation to the War Veterans Fund, is a commitment by the government towards improving the welfare of veterans of the liberation struggle.
The Minister, however, noted that since pensions are not enough to sustain them, war veterans need to start income generation projects, which government will support.
“I support of your needs so that you are a part of the economic drive that is contained in the National Development Strategy 1 NDS 1, we have set aside 37 million dollars so that you can access resources for your projects and we will give you assets to start your projects and be empowered. This is over and above the current benefits that you are getting,” he said.
Appreciating the funding, the war veterans appealed for a further review of their pensions.
“We are happy that you are the first minister of finance to allocate money to war veterans in the national budget. We want our pensions to be at the poverty datum line so that we are able to survive.
“We are also happy with currency reforms but we want the government to deal with illegal money changers who are still operating,” they said.
Professor Ncube assured the nation that the government is working hard to bring about sustained economic stability that will result in economic growth. – ZBC ■
