Friday, March 29, 2024

Government orders supplier to re-deliver fertiliser after truck plunged into the river

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Kabwata Member of Parliament GIVEN LUBINDA
GIVEN LUBINDA

Minister of Agriculture Given Lubinda says the supplier of the Urea fertiliser whose truck plunged into the Kafue River in Ngabwe District in Central Province has to deliver a fresh consignment of the fertiliser to the district.

And government has set aside US $20.4 million meant for irrigation farming.

Addressing journalists during a press briefing on the State of the Nation’s Food Security and Agriculture, Mr. Lubinda explained that the loss of the fertiliser will be borne by the supplier and not government.

“The supplier is not going to be paid until they resend the fertiliser to the Ngabwe farmers in Central Province,” he stated.

“The fertilizer becomes government’s fertiliser when the farmers receive it,” he explained.

Mr Lubinda further explained that his ministry is in touch with the supplier in a bid to ensure that a new consignment of fertiliser is delivered to the affected farmers.

Last week a truck laden with 134 by 50 kg bags of fertiliser meant for farmers in Ngabwe District in Central Province plunged into the Kafue River after the driver lost control of the vehicle as he tried to get onto the pontoon.

Meanwhile, the ministry of agriculture has revealed that it will launch the establishment of irrigation schemes on February 3, this year.

Minister of Agriculture Given Lubinda said government has set aside US$20.4 million meant for irrigation farming.

He cited Mwomboshi in Chisamba, Musakashi in Mufulira and Lusitu in Chirundu as the three irrigation schemes that would be launched by the Ministry.

10 COMMENTS

  1. Something is strange here, the entire minister is attending to 134 bags of fertilizer. Where is the district commissioner, he should be addressing this simple matter. Dear Lubinda, please attend to real issues, preparing to pay farmers in time before the 2016 August.

  2. Typical PF planning!

    Set up irrigation in the rainy season!

    Commission hydropower AFTER we have load shedding.

    Set up a sinking fund AFTER they have borrowed 10 billion!

    CNP!

  3. …what is the story here kanshi…is the contractor a supplier or just engaged to transport the fertiliser on behalf of govt….??…anyway that’s why there is insurance cover or performance bond….and I hope the govt demanded for that in the contract agreement….

  4. Yes your supplier would replace it but would it be in time? Its easy to say we have set as $20 million for irrigation but what’s the plan…is it backed by a scheme or policy. Why are you quoting in dollars is it because its borrowed money

  5. Not even them are sure of their kwacha, better quote in a stable currency. As for the order to the supplier, that’s no brainer. Insurance already covered this. The only problem is the new consignment will be delivered next farming season.

  6. They have a deal with a company called African potash to supply 50,000 tonnes of fertilizer to various sites in Zambia. I don’t think this particular consignment is theirs though!

    • Ok lumba, it is just that their payment has been delayed so I wondered if it was theirs! it has taken 3 months for payment!

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