Why would South Africa not supply maize directly to the DRC if the business is that lucrative? Besides, for goods to transit into Zambia, the trucks do not need any SI as they use SADC protocols.
By Amb. Emmanuel Mwamba.
Lusaka – So now Zambia will be importing for the DRC?
South Africa and DRC have an established value chain and experienced importers and exporters… hence the long queues of trucks from Kasumbalesa that reach up to Kitwe.
For goods to transit into Zambia, the trucks do not need any Statutory Instrument as they use SADC protocals.
So now Zambia is going to import for the DRC? Who is advising our Government? And they have made mealie-meal a contraband!
Minister of Finance, Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, has issued a Statutory Instrument waiving duty for the importation of mealie meal. Meaning the mealie meal lands in Zambia.
The crisis is simple. We have exported almost all our maize stocks. The current stock levels of 352,000 is national supply for two months. And yet the next grain marketing season is only in June/July because the maize has to dry as our people use the sun and have no kilns or industrial driers.
Our national strategic reserves have been depleted. We don’t have maize. If government stopped the lies, the obfuscation and self-created confusion, we will have an answer.
“National Strategic Stock Levels as held by FRA is standing at 342,000,” Hon. Mutolo Phiri, and Government has since released 69,000 metric tonnes to millers.
The levels are way below the national strategic levels of 500,000 metric tonnes as mandated by the FRA Act.
Also Read: UPND and its baffling performance! – Chishala Kateka.
Editor’s Comments: The press briefing held by the Defense and and Home Affairs Ministers was very embarrassing.
Hon. Lufuma, the Defense Minister said “the mealie meal imports from South Africa will not service the local market but will be exported directly to the DRC under security escort.”
Here are the three questions that demand answers from the new dawn government:
1. Can Government tell us who the intended beneficiaries of the mealie meal import activities into Congo will be?
2. Of what benefit will those imports be to the Zambian people for the Minister of Finance to even announce the suspension of excise duty on imported mealie meal?
3. Can Government tell us why it should suffer costs associated with the security escort for the mealie meal for sale in the DRC?
The UPND Government is really taking us for a ride. Why would South Africa not supply maize directly to the DRC if the business is that lucrative?
About The Author: Currently standing for the position of president of the Patriotic Front, Mr. Mwamba is former Ambassador to the African Union and former Permanent Representative to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. Previously, he served as High Commissioner to South Africa, Permanent Secretary and Spokesperson to Second President, Frederick Chiluba.
©2022 Woodpecker’s Digest Inc.
Putting news into perspective
