Government has been prodded to rescind its decision not to allow the importation of mealie meal into the country.
The Zambia Consumers Association (ZACA) says government should annul its decision in a bid to stabilize the price of the country’s staple food.
ZACA Executive Director Muyunda Ililonga said in an interview that consumers have continued to be subjected to purchasing mealie meal at exorbitant prices by some unscrupulous millers.
He said the solution to stabilizing the price of mealie meal is to allow for the importation of the product as increased supply of the commodity would push down the price.
Mr. Ililonga said Zambia has in the past exported mealie meal to neighboring countries to help stabilize the price of the commodity in those countries hence a similar measure should be taken by Zambia.
He called on government to prioritize the welfare of consumers.
Last week, the Zambia Competition Commission (ZCC) also appealed to government allow for the importation of mealie meal to help reduce prices as some millers were exploiting consumers through excessive pricing of the commodity.
But government has said the importation of mealie meal would undermine the local millers existing capacity to create jobs and make money for re-investing in the country.
Commerce Minister Felix Mutati has said the importation of maize through the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) was enough to cater for the deficit.
ZANIS/PM/AM/ENDS
Who comes up with such strategies or rather policies? Do we really have economists in Zambia? Hallooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Jamaco, indeed, we do have zambian economists but unfortunately, most of them live and work abroad:(
what’s wrong with our country? today the govt with FRA proclaim they have a bumper harvest and tomorrow they say we have no surplus and start looking up to Namibia and RSA for GMO maize
#2 it is animal farm pa Zed. Too much talking and in the end nothing to eat.
He is talking bulls*#t this guy. importing does not stabilize the prices. it kills the local industry.
This is harvest time pa Zedi.. What are they talking about Importing maize na kailii?
pa Zed food is expensive simply because its a bit harder to run businesses there. for example, no rail-link to the eastern province(the official bread basket)
If Government is failing to stimulate efficiency in the delivery of maize, a very profitable locally produced commodity, to markets consistently and reliably, how on earth are they expected to operate the mobile hospitals?
Maize milling, distribution and retail is a very big profitable business which brings in billions in taxes, creates a lot of employment thereby widening the tax base, yet it can not be run efficiently. What is the problem with Zambia’s Business Managers?
cont….
Imports of mealie meal will only hurt the local farming and milling industries, reduce employment, and also reduce tax revenue to government.
Poor Agric. plans…….