The UPND government exported the surplus maize it inherited from the PF regime, resulting in a critical shortage of mealie meal in most parts of the country.
…as lack of stability in policy direction is again highlighted by the differences between Nkombo and Lusaka City Council
Lusaka, Aug. 2 – President Hichilema is too arrogant to admit that it’s impossible to get the price of mealie meal down to his pre-election campaign promise of K50 per 25Kg bag. It was a lie that he understands isn’t realisable.
He now says his government’s earlier decision to increase the maize price will hurt a little, but mealie meal prices will stabilise in a sustainable way as production increases. What he is saying is that prices can only go up and stabilise at some point, may be at K300 a 25Kg bag but certainly not K50.
And President Hichilema has admitted that communication is one of the UPND government’s weak areas but if he appoints incompetent cadres to head the information sector in Chushi Kasanda and Thabo Kawana, what does he expect? Leadership is the ability to identify and put those with the technical know-how and ability in key positions needing such expertise. Mr. Hichilema’s lack of leadership has been laid bear in key sectors such as Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture.
Speaking when he recently met Anglican Bishops at State House, President Hichilema lamented that the country’s maize production was very low. “The decision we made [to increase the maize floor price] was deliberate. The production of maize was dying and a lot of people were leaving the production of maize!”
But National Democratic Congress (NDC) president, Ms. Saboi Imboela, has attributed the rising mealie meal prices to the late distribution of farming inputs during the last farming season. Ms. Imboela said mealie meal prices will continue going up if the government does not improve the agriculture sector not the political rhetoric by President Hichilema.
She said there is a need to empower farmers in a bid to enhance crop production and food security. Speaking to Radio Icengelo News, Ms. Imboela also questioned the continued export of mealie meal when the local market is yearning for the commodity.
“It is very sad that mealie meal prices can go up to K300 and more. We warned the government last year when they messed up the Agriculture season.You know the buying and distribution of farming inputs was done late and by the time they started distributing inputs it was very late,” she said.
Also Read: Mealie meal shortage and its increased smuggling, Lessons to learn and implement.
“Number one, the distribution of farming inputs was done badly and secondly, they gave farmers fewer bags, instead of six, they were being given two bags, others one and half to the point where people started sharing inputs in medas. That was the major contribution to the mess we are seeing now.Trust me, by the time we are reaching September, October mealie meal will cost more than K300,” Ms. Imboela said.
She suggested measures that can help to stabilize mealie meal prices.
“Let the government empower farmers. Let them give farmers enough inputs and land. Like I have said agriculture is the new gold. So we can actually sustain ourselves and be able to export without creating the shortage and the high mealie meal prices that the Government is creating now,” Imboela said.
And policy direction indecisiveness in the new dawn government has again been highlighted by the differences between Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Hon. Gary Nkombo and Lusaka City Council. Hon. Nkombo says he was not informed about the Council’s intention to demolish 236 booths and stands that were illegally erected at COMESA market and he has therefore halted the exercise.
In a public notice released on July 31, 2023 Lusaka Town Clerk, Brighton Mbaimbai, stated the council would on 4th August, 2023 demolish illegal structures erected at COMESA. “Notice is hereby given that on 4th August 2023 the Lusaka City Council will carry out demolition exercise at COMESA market of all 236 booths, stands and stalls that were illegally erected. In light of the above, owners are advised to remove all valuables immediately!”
Also Read: UPND and its baffling performance! – Chishala Kateka.
Can we assume that Nkombo has just grown cold feet with the growing unpopularity of the cleaning up exercise?
And activist Thomas Sipalo in reaction wrote, “He visited Rwanda, admired how organized and clean it was, copied and pasted without understanding that Rwanda first worked on the economy, made sure poverty levels reduced then started clearing street vendors. Imwe you copy and do the opposite, you chase street vendors instead of working on the economy! Kuti manje bantu badye chani with this unfriendly economy? Poverty is number one igniter of street vending!”
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