Petauke Central Member of Parliament Dora Siliya has ordered the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) in Petauke district to immediately pay farmers their money for the maize sold to the agency.
And Ms Siliya has also called for the immediate dismissal of Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) Marketing Manager Vincent Nyatola for failure to account for K32 billion allocated to the district for the purchase of maize in the area.
The visibly annoyed minister said she will recommend for the immediate dismissal of the ZNFU Manager and his subordinates if they fail to account for the money received for the maize purchase in the district.
Ms Siliya who is also Education Minister wondered why ZNFU whom have been contracted to help with the purchase of maize have not yet paid farmers their money despite government releasing funds for exercise.
Ms Siliya said government had released about K32 billion from the start of the marketing season and wondered where the money has gone if the intended beneficiaries of the funds who are farmers have not yet received it.
The Minister said this in Petauke yesterday when she met ZNFU officials to follow up on complaints from farmers that they have not received their money since July despite them selling the maize to the agency.
She said government is working hard to better the lives of many Zambians especially farmers but expressed disappointment that officials entrusted with government resources want to abuse it for their personal gains.
But ZNFU Marketing Manager Vincent Nyatola told the minister that about 9000 farmers have so far been paid their money in the district.
He said over 817, 000 bags of maize have been bought and assured the minister that he will follow guidelines to ensure that all farmers receive their money
Mr Nyatola said the delay to pay all the farmers is as a result of inadequate funding as the district requires K51 Billion to carter for all the farmers in the district.
Ms Siliya is in the district to check on developmental projects and hold a series of meetings with the local people.
[ ZANIS ]
Threats threats threats!
If these people had put in place workable systems allthese delays would be occuring.
Why should it always take ministers to shout before pipo are paid whats due to them?
In what capacity iwe chimayo?
Hey Siliya its K50billion needed and you gave out K32Billion, what kind of an education minister are you? trying to save face!
I thought Brian Chitubo is a right person to give such orders as agriculture minister. This education minister is clossing over her boundaries into some ministries now wow:-?:-?[-([-(:)>-
There is no doubt that this woman is the most powerful in the system, even more powerful than the VP. She gives orders in every GRZ department and ministry. We could be looking at the next president after RB.
My parents are still waiting for their money from FRA. Why is it that Zambian quangos fail to do simple tasks? I think the answer lies in the patronage appointments to these institutions. I would recommend that the we liberate this last bastion of socialist economics and let private enterprise come in to buy produce from farmers. The best way to do this is to set up markets in each district and stock be sold like they do in the west. The farmers bring their produce once a week to a central place where buyers are and they bid for the stuff. That is what capitalism is, not this wishy washy half hearted measure. If not, go back to the NAMBOARD days!
I am going to set up my own grain silos and I will not sell my maize but to the highest bidder, whether they are in Zambia or abroad. Hows that? gggggrrrrrhhhhh! I need money!!!!!!!!!!
Hey, is she the only MP who is following up development projects?
This culture of intimidating innocent poor juniors must come to an end. When ever government fails to honour its obligation eg in Petauke it is clear money needed is K50b and the poor manager was given only K32b. How does he pay all the farmers when the money is less FROM his arse.We NEED people to be taking responsibility abash stupid intimidation. Two weeks ago another poor soul in Choongwe was intimidated by some peter daka over the same issue and yet government had not released monies. Muchinge bamakaka we are not your slaves. We also have children and deserve respect. Bakapoli.
I have began to like Dora Siliya and my perception of her has changed since she set up her facebook page that she updates regularly and making her e-mail address public. I think she is cool and I hope the rest do the same. Certainly she will get my vote for best Zambian Politician this year. Keep up with your facebook update madam. I have more respect for you now. And please encourage your other fellow ministers to do the same.
Talk of Abuse of Office. K32 billion abused. Is this another Kapoko issue? Why recommend termination instead of instituting investigations like it happened to Kapoko?