UPND President Hakainde Hichilema says the country is on auto-pilot following the announcement by Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda that the country has enough maize stock to last till the next harvest.
Mr Hichilema said the President and his Vice are on record saying the country is facing a maize deficit and contacts have been made to import the commodity but the Minister has refuted the claims by his seniors.
Bellow is a full statement issued to the media.
OFFICIAL STATEMENT
Tuesday, 2nd February 2016
Another PF Flip Flop now on maize
Does this country have maize? Neither President Lungu nor his Cabinet seems to know. We have consistently pointed out since last year that the country risks facing a serious maize deficit and that the PF Government needed to have stopped exports of raw grain and graduate into exporting mealie meal.
President Edgar Lungu and his Vice-President Inonge Wina are on record saying that the nation is facing maize deficit and that they had actually already made contacts to import the product thousands of miles away from South America.
But in what has now become their trademark of being consistency with inconsistencies, Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda now rubbishes the statements from his bosses by saying the nation has enough maize and there is no need to import the commodity.
Are these people really in the same Government, regularly meet, and someone is in charge?
It is very clear, no one is in charge at the moment, which is why one minute a minister can announce and implement a Cabinet decision, only for the President to reverse it the following day. Such chaos and lack of control is why we have problems in mining, education, agriculture, energy and basically all sectors of the country.
We are totally speechless except perhaps to call for more prayers now. This is really beyond imagination. For a Government that has even expanded in size in the name of being more effective, they seem more confused now than when the Government was smaller.
The country is clearly on autopilot and as UPND we can only pray for safe landing on 11th August this year so that a visionary, well-coordinated and focused leadership can steer the nation and move it forward.
For now we can only call on Zambians to pray for Lungu and his cabinet so that the negative impact of their damage to the country can be minimised as we head and reach the key decision time of 11th August. This “Chipantepante” way of running government must end.
Hakainde Hichilema
UPND President
Flip flop reloaded! So, I ask, who is fooling who?
PF is one step forward, two steps backwards…..totally no clue. Cimbwi no plan for really. Today this tomorrow this…honestly how can you run a govt like a kantemba
This must be the only country where people pray for misfortune, to achieve political mileage.
They love to hear the country will face a fuel shortage and even predict the shortage on account of rumours of a contaminated feedstock consignment that Government has rejected. By estimating a replacement shipment they can already conclude a shortage will occur and quickly they announce the prediction.
This is a country where a food shortage will be predicted with tremendous glee and anticipation because it will show how incompetent Government has been in failing to bring about the normal rainfall.
And when in anticipation of the shortage Government announces measures to import maize, the opposition cried foul because it will be denied the opportunity to prove its prediction.
Such is the…
Come on UPND, it’s high time you grew-up politically. PF has once more succeeded to sent you into goose chasing. You won’t catch it. The statement by the president and his Vice was relative to the poor rains and the anticipated poor harvest of the staple crop. The statement by the Minister of Agriculture is with respect to available stocks – not just the scanty crop to be harvested, but taking into account what is also available from the country’s reserves.
When the president and his Vice made that statement, it meant they care. They were addressing a real issue akin to declaring that a disaster was looming. Such information is crucial to agencies such as the World Food Reserve Agency which monitors the supply and movement of food products globally. The statement by the Minister…
At issue rather is your CHIPANTEPANTE way of analyzing issue! Please desist from it.
CONFUSE YOUR ENEMY. THAT’S THE IDEA. THEY KNOW HOW TO GET HH LOST IN HIS TRACKING PF. WATCH OUT
Imported or local maize, who cares. so long as we have maize. siukudya iwe hh, where do u buy your food, in zimbabwe?
Quote ” The world is a dangerous place to live not because of the people who re evil but because of the people who don’t do anything about it” Albert Einstein, end of quote. No wonder MCS ( MHRIP ) once said my ministers are stupid. So all you nicopomps of the carbonate ( cabbinate) re watching all this stup!dity of triple flip flopping with positive anticipation? Here is what Albert E also once said about stup!dity and I quote ” The difference between stup!dity and genius is that genius has its limits” end of quote. Now people of noble sound who understand their accountability and the purpose of leadership would have called for an impeachment. Mmmm maloza my beautiful country Zambia
Ok, iliko bad!
On this one I will support you but I won’t give you my vote because you are a selfish person who mighty even be worse than what we are currently experiencing.
What are you saying? Even if PF is messing up you will still support them just because you don’t like HH? You can’t be serious and I hope you will not vote at all
@Mighty Shansa. Please do not sacrifice the future of your childrem becoz you don’t like HH. Think of the next 5 years under PF? Where will our economy be?
There are many of us who will fill your space and vote HH.
but HH and chiluba sacrificed us on the copperbelt nowonder things are like this kuno mikoti apa ni pabwato fye
Someone need to be in charge of the sinking boating, may be the captain has left the cockpit alone, hence the boat is on auto pilot.
@ Zedpoorpeople
Ship autopilot cannot work without ruder!!! It only goes in endless circles.
Google Freemason in Zambia….
Yaba….
Failures always pull the freemason card when they see someone who has achieved something they think is impossible on their small brains and minds. Just work hard you pauper.
kind of pull him down mentality! A tendency of most zambians where after seing others doing better than them.
BA HH KUWAYAWAYAFYE.
Kaya…. yaba.
Ask dr google…
Freemason in Zambia.
See the names…..
It is had to see direction in the PF, every minister makes his own pronouncements.
I can hear the sound of a drum growing loud from the source of the might Zambezi in the kaleni hills down the baroste plains to Shungu namutitima in Livingstone.Yes its a drum of victory.The true son of the soil has been anointed by God Jehova to redeem this great Nation Zambia.Those oppress abreathing fresh air ,but the thiefs Murderous and Tribalists are collapsing out disblive.HH is the man blessed by God.It will surely happen.
hmmm….
God anointing a devil worshiper….
yabako bad.
There are many PF supporters that will not even vote because they are tired of PF embarrassing them. They would rather abstain than vote for a Tonga. Conversely, if it was HH in charge and messing up like this, UPND members would abstain rather than vote for a Bemba. This is the legacy this politics of today will leave for our beloved Zambia. Very sad. Until we get a President that will literally kill anyone caught aiding and abating tribalism, this will never stop.
It would have been better for veteran loser HH to put in perspective what Given Lubinda said. He did mention in his statement that there is still maize in some depots countrywide that requires mopping up before we can ever think of importing because this may turn out to be adequate for next year. He is minister of agriculture and is directly in touch with technocrats and FRA to know the situation on the ground. Let HH tell us what he knows about the maize stock on the ground if he thinks he is better informed.
@zedoc. Are you for real? Trying to defend the indefensible? You live in a foreign Country which is much better run than the way your home Country is being run and you have no remorse for your uncles, cousins, friends etc.. back home who have to bear the high cost of the staple food – MAIZE – fueled by incorrect information. How selfish can you get?
@cactus get real! Floods are happening all over the world currently, some countries are having problems with harvests through floods and housing because of flooding we just have a lack of rain temporarily. It’ll all change. In any case most Farmers are insured. It’s good news that we are going to cope. Support your country. Poor harvests have happened in the past because of rains. Is it election year that makes this one different. Be genuine to win votes.
@ 1mbecile abroad
Which small farmer has insurance?
If the last harvest was “gift” from PF as Liar Lubinda was proclaiming, how come this one is “act of God”?
Unbelievable! Even last season rainfall patterns were erratic and experts said trend would continue through to this season. Given this situation who in their right mind would go ahead and export before securing your own reserves? To add salt to injury, year in year out we’ve been told of bumper harvests, this is scandalous to say the least.
I meant to say “this year” and not “next year”.
The chosen one has spoken.Jehova will scatter your enemies.He who can see in someones heart will give you the crown of Glory.HH you will form an alliance with the people not political parties.Those who have head the calling will come voluntarily because your heart is pure.
HH ,GBM , Wynter, Mulongoti, Maureen Mwanawasa, and the likes of Besa Chimbaka surely can never make a better Cabinet than what Edgar has. We just don’t have a better option!
CHIPANTEPANTE INDEED MR. PRESIDENT IN WAITING. THESE VISION LESS GROUP OF LEADERS IN PF MUST BE RELIEVED OF THEIR DUTIES COME AUGUST 11 BECAUSE THEY HAVE CAUSED MORE DAMAGE THAN GOOD TO THE NATION. HH AND UPND AND THE REST OF WELL MEANING ZAMBIANS MUST INDEED BE GIVEN CHANCE TO RE-ALIGN OUR COUNTRY’S ACTIVITIES. SANITY MUST BE BROUGHT BACK. HONESTY DEALINGS BY GOVERNMENT OF THE DAY MUST BE CULTIVATED. CORRUPTION AND MISAPPROPRIATION OF PUBLIC FUNDS MUST BE A THING OF THE PAST. LUNGU MUST BE REJECTED ON AUGUST 11. VIVA HH VIVA! VIVA UPND VIVA! ZAMBIA FORWARD.
BA HH KUWAYAWAYAFYE.
hh will never RULE Zambia come August Lungu will still be President of Zambia, while upnd will still be strong in southern province.
Its necessary for MIGHTY SHANSHA to vote so that we know what percentage of fools we have in Zambia!
Well said but Zambians do not like being told the truth.
I hope this time around people will choose a man with a vision.
the sell of the mines someone has never said the truth
Zedoc,
EL gets his information from the same minister & why did he not communicate exactly as such. HH is just trying to highlight the lack of coordination in the current PF Government. Someone of u, your hatred for HH is so nauseating & we are begging to constantly vomit from your cadre comments. Get a life & be real.
HH, it’s you who is very inconsistent in case you stooges haven’t advised you. Iwe chi HH, you the other day who told the whole world that all statements in UPND are issued by your secretariat but who has issued this statement again?
If you live in a glass house don’t throw stones and if you can’t blows brother don’t throw blows.
I wonder the this HH is in right frame of mind, and it will get worse as the d day for defeat draws closer. Please someone help this man, his family am sure still needs him.
HH always inspiring me, God bless Zambia, God bless HH!
The PF govt knows nothing about farming and agriculture in General. Both the President and the Minister of Agriculture have very limited knowledge about Farming. We need brains that will take this industry to a higher level in terms of yields. Zambia has the lowest yields per hector compared to Malawi, Tanzania and Drought Prone Zimbabwe. The yields in Zambia are an average 2000 kgs / hector (100 x 100 metres) translating to 40 x 50 kgs. The FISP pack only allows a farmer to cultivate a lima ( quarter of a hector) translating 10 x50kgs. Can these bags sustain a family of 6 until the next harvest? Jokers must GO
Well spoken HH. It is mind boggling to try and keep track with what PF Govt is saying about food security of the Country. Maize is the staple food for the nation and they are giving contradicting information. Left hand does not know what right hand is doing. Its very hard to believe they are in the same Govt. . This speaks volumes about PF Govt and to be honest, this is the clearest warning to any well meaning Zambian about lack of capacity of PF.
at first you said you will remove street vendors then you saw how unpopular you would be you changed your mind. Then you say you will bring back Anglo America to run mines in Zambia but you shot yourself in the foot as Anglo was or is retrenching. You tell marketeers not to pay back loans and yet you want them to be entrepreneurs. Now thats chipantepante
Your failure to respond to the subject at hand, and instead vainly attempt to deflect from the subject at hand is noted. The subject is ‘Why is PF Govt giving completely contradicting information to the nation on such an important matter as STAPLE FOOD of the nation?
Look at hh’s eye on this photo he remind me of men who suck blood in those movies of men who wears black. kikikikikik
(HH) under 5, the way PF runs government is none of your business. Concentrate on your cows in UPND
The taxes HH pays fund your government coffers just like mine so we all have the right to question our workers (government) or are you so thick that you didn’t know this. You think government works for panga weilder’s only. The same money you are paid to post thick comments comes from HH and our pockets.
fools will remain fools especially pf cadres
You are wrong. From f00ls they have now “progressed” to 1mbeciles.
It’s only a f00l who can say things are OK in our country especially under the self confessed president without vision
To me, Edgar Chagwa Lungu is a very sincere person. When asked what his vision for Zambia was…he honestly said he had none except for building on what Sata had initiated. Other politicians will lie about their visions just to get to plot 1.
Otherwise, it does not belong to man who is walking even to direct his own step. If you read Jeremiah 10:23, it helps us see that man has neither the ability nor the right to rule over fellow man. If you look at time God created man…he gave him dominion over the animal kingdom and not over fellow man. That should explain why man has dominated feloow man to his own injury (Ecclesiastes 9:9). Man has tried various forms of governments…nothing has ever worked.
Doublespeaking PF govt should learn to use a common speaking platform instead of exhibiting unnecesary showdown in an attempt to defend the indefensible. What an irrelevant sideshow?
#15. What a stupid comment.
Apparently people in Zambia are not worried about the economy getting out of hand, and the runnng inflation means nothing to most people. Well, if anything at all, this is what should be worrying people. You do not want Zambia to remain stagnant due to a bad run economy and bad inflation….!
FOOD SECURITY IS IMPORTANT FOR ANY COUNTRY…!
EL has messed our good country in one year & giving him another 5 years would consigning this beloved to oblivion. Thank god of the new dual citizenship status, learned people will go & come to retire in readiness for their final path to resting in peace.
COWS… goats, mbeba, catepillas, vinkubala – I would rather eat beef
Zambians eat Zambian beef and yet insult HH with a FULL of T-Bone steak.
IF YOU DO NOT LIKE THE MAN…! DO NOT VOTE FOR HIM… THAT IS WHY WE HAVE A SECRET BALLOT..!
Eishi, you mean that rainbow spotted circling the sun one early morning in late 2015 was not a sign of good tidings? abundant food, rain, 500,000 jobs, more money in our pockets, strong currency, low inflation rate.
Well it seems like good news doesn’t it? We can’t just criticise everything just for the sake of it. If we have enough maize then that’s good enough. Maybe they realised they didn’t have to import or maybe possibly they miss-counted. Who cares anyway, it’s all good news!
@Patriot.
You live comfortably in a foreign Country which is much better run than the way your home Country is being run and you have no remorse or compassion for your uncles, cousins, friends etc.. back home who have to bear the high cost of the staple food – MAIZE – fueled by INCORRECT information, and you say who cares?. How selfish can you get? Do you have any clue what the correct definition of ‘Patriot’ really is?
@Cactus
A Patriot is one that supports its country’s democratically elected gov’t and cares about its people. You are plain wrong mate. Rains are causing much damage here in the UK in case you have no access to International news. A lot of UK citizens are homeless because of flooding. Some farm crops have been destroyed internationally because of severe flooding this year. Other country’s are also experiencing economic woes. No one even the Rich are sitting comfortably. Least of all me. You and your UPND Fellows are hysterical and that prevents you from assessing Zzmbia’s problems currently in relation to world challenges. You don’t have to turn on Patriots that are encouraging strength in adversity. Stop shouting, no one is buying into your hysterical mania driven campaign.
@ 1mbecile abroad
Are you still living in the prestigious area of London at Her Majesty Pleasure? What was, Belmarsh?
I dont see anything wrong with Govt preparing for worst case scenario. Making arrangements in good time to import maize is good planning. should we panic only after we find our stocks are low.Better safe than sorry. The same HH would climb the highest mountain to castigate PF for not foreseeing and later on plan in advance. Finally if we import and God willing we harvest well thers nothing wrong either as we can still use the maize for other things such as feed, etc.
@Punani Jackson,
There is a BIG difference between preparing for worst case scenario and disseminating false, contradicting and alarming information to the nation. For an entire Head of State and his vice to knowingly lie, in the name of preparing, that there is a shortage of maize coming, will cause the prices to go up unnecessarily. This will cost your uncles, cousins, friends etc.. back home to pay more than they would pay under normal supply-and-demand forces. For an entire custodian of agriculture – Minister of agriculture to knowingly lie, in the name of preparing, that there is enough food security in a nation when in actual fact there isn’t, is a simply being irresponsible and preparing for staple food shortage.
Punani, could you kindly explain how, according to you, lying…
Cont’d…
, lying about staple food reserves to the nation is good for anyone.
This Modus Operandi, of causing fear, anxiety and encouraging rioting against gov’t is criminal. UPND is one Party that uses these intimidating ploys to win votes. It’s just unconscionable, and HH must really have a dark mind to go to these lengths. There is no capital to be gained from causing damage to our beautiful country, which we have spent lots of development loans building up. No use deterring Investors with unsteady political environment. Zambians must be wise and vote PF for Balance.
@patriot
Patriot:- (Correct definition)
‘A person who loves, supports, and defends his or her country and its citizens and THEIR INTERESTS with devotion’. The key phrase is ‘citizens interests’
Cadre:- (Correct definition)
‘A person who is a revolutionist, or a political activist, especially when taking part in activities’.
LOL. Now, A glaring and embarrassing contradiction was made in the Public media on the FOOD SECURITY of a staple food – MAIZE- between our Head of State and his Vice on one hand, AND the Minister of Agriculture on the other hand. So glaring and so public that it has left any normal functioning adult wondering what who is telling the truth. Incorrect information leads to overpricing in supply-and-demand chain and citizens have to bear the cost. And your…
Cont’d … And your reaction is “who cares”?. Someone questions that contradiction and you call it ‘”Modus Operandi, of causing fear, anxiety and encouraging rioting against gov’t”. And you can yourself a Patriot? Be honest with yourself. Your comments are consistent with a CADRE. Period.
And your vain attempt @3.2 to equate flooding in UK in the last couple of months, to the contradicting statements by PF Govt is completely and deliberately misleading.
I know you know that you are the cadre @Cactus. There is NO difference to the damage done to crops and properties, it ends with financial hardship for citizens. You seem to think Zambians so eh ow differ when it comes to suffering?
You are so hysterical it’s not even possible to have a reasonable discourse. Just a lot of mocking and lol at other people’s comments. Bible says when two fools argue, it’s hard for a third party to tell who the fool is. To that end I close this discourse. It’s hopeless.
How many times have we heard this type of speeches? If HH is as wise as he picture himself why did they chuz to sell companies which bachipantepante have reversed? Bachipantepante have constructed roads which ba wise HH is using
HH and all Zambians are using the pf kaloba funded roads because they are tax paying citizens, after all the loans will be repaid using the taxes the collect from us.
which is better to have or not to have?where there was no road there is one where there was no clinic there is one with kaloba money which is better/where was no school there is on.who is chipantepante here
Are these people really in the same Government, regularly meet, and someone is in charge?
CHIPANTEPANTE KICKS ALL THE TIME BUT FAILS TO SCORE. ECL KICKED ONCE IN 2015 AND SCORED. BUT YOU HH, HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU BEEN KICKING? SO YOU ARE THE CHIPANTEPANTE.
I LIKE YOUR ANALYSIS. IT IS EXACTLY WHAT CHIPANTEPANTE IS. HH IS HIMSELF CHI KICK KICK BUT MAYBE HE HAS A VERY SHORT MEMORY TO REMEMBER THAT HE IS THE ONE WHO HAS BEEN KICKING THE BALL ANYHOW WITHOUT AIMING AT THE GOAL.
straight to the point dear
What is Chipantepante in Tonga.
What is ‘Chipantepante’ in Tonga
So many dead brains who cant even analyse the statements raised by HH. Kubwatabwata fye when the man has pointed out real flows which affect them and the country at large. Why should Lungu and Lubinda issue opposing statements over maize?? My ideal president or minister would indeed know better. Oh even my councillor is more sensible than this gvt
There are always two sides to a coin. Lungu spoke with respect to one of the two sides, while Lubinda that of the other. You must have a mind competent enough to digest and disseminate issues. Don’t just jump to blame the speaker for what he/she has said. Check your own understanding of what the speaker has said before jumping to erroneous conclusions. If your level of understanding be that simple, how can we entrust you with the responsibility to run a government???
what is Chipantepante in Tonga…
Comment: Suppose we give you 1yr, are you going to deliver as compared to Ecl. You will be removed by the army coz you have caused people to be violent. You will be remembered to be worst president Zambia has ever seen. I never knew that people can be that evil to sacrifice this country to his benefit. That’s why i believe in the people of them country they are guided by the almighty God and they can’t be cheated. We are peaceful people and will remain peaceful. One Zambia One Nation. Love to you all. Vote Ecl.
Comment: I forgot to tell you the reason why the army can take over. Coz they will give you 1yr and before you start giving excuses you will be out of state house. Coz you have made them the way they are. You think so much of yourself and i don’t think your interest is for Zambia. You are using illiteracy of Zambians as if they think like cattle. You think whellbarrow pushers are not educated, salaula sellers are nothing educated. Let the game begin and you are in for it
VESSEL PF: “requestdockingcoordinates”
DOCKING STATION:”look for nearest station and guide the ship.”
VESSEL PF:” condition preventing docking is in effect”
DOCKING STATION: “hold-position”
VESSEL PF:”recalldockinginstructions”
DOCKING STATION:”all clear approach”
VESSEL PF:”after fulfilled initial real docking condition,vessel stopped near the docking seat,depth control was used to approach while stern vertical thrusts went all out”
VESSEL PF: “all clear DOCKING NOW COMPLETE”
DOCKING STATION:” good job Captain EL and welcome to State house”
2016 vote PF(Edgar)
I thank you,,,,,,,
And the name of dicking station is UPP or PA?
Hichilema appears on both the local and international register of the Freemasons and members of the public could find this information freely on the Freemasons Register.nowonder his behavour and character sound so inhuman
Yes we need prayers but the crop we are facing is a perculier one. These are not the kind that would graciously accept defeat in an election. These will have to be chased like common criminals! Enough of this rubbish!
UPND cadres and their small god HH are quick to condemn without analysing statements, what ECL said about importation of maize is the anticipated crop failure during this harvesting season because of scanty rainfall in some parts of the country and not (all parts) so he was talking about the deficit for 2017 reserves, Lubinda was talking about the current reserves that will take us up to the next harvest period which is around August so you cant mix the two unless you want to deliberately mislead pipo to gain cheap political milage.
People of Zambia you can talk…….Put God first.Are you going to be there on the 11 .08.2016?Mulansekesha sana.When you to sleep ati I will see you tomorrow.HH ….chipantepante.POMPOLYONGO,AKAPANDA KAMILE,BAMUSHA ULWEKO,UWAUMA NAFYALA WOMINA LIMO,SHIKULUME KALYONSE,KALUMBI BANDA,WELENGANI AND PINDANI,KALULU NSHIPUSWA MUFILA,KALIN’GONGO MULALA KWACHENA,SHELI WAMWABI,CEKESONI AINGILA UBUSOJA,WUWAKALEMA TAKALEKA….ULULUMBI LWAMUBEMBA KUKAKATA,AKANAMA KANSONI,PWELE AIKATWA KUBULIMBO NECIFUBA KUMO.God bless Zambia
uyu ena awe. govt is not run like chibaya cha n’gome ba hh naimwe.
Be reminded that PF concept of governance is ‘DON’T KUBEBA’.
Truth is hard to grasp in PF and lies is true to its concept and existence, but for how long will Zambians to be duped?
Useless opposition. opposing everything sure like a mad dog no wonder you will retire in opposition. U no longer inspire us. It shows u are very bitter. Even gud u oppose. Marabishi ya unpd
Looking at HH closely in this picture tells you that there is a missing nut in his head. Take his statement for example I quote…”…we have consistently pointed out since last year that the country risks facing a serious maize deficit and that the PF government needed to have stopped exports of raw maize and graduate into exports of mealie meal….”. Really HH, what are you saying? In this context, you me and everybody else is talking about shortage of maize which is = shortage of mealie meal or food. But according to HHs statement its okay to export mealie meal and not Maize. Now unless I come from another planet, tell me the difference between exporting maize and mealie, isn’t it the same thing? So to HH maize is materially different from mealie meal and if you export mealie meal…
So to HH maize is materially different from mealie meal and if you export mealie meal you will not have a shortage of maize? Now that is the aspiring president for you! Totally warped thinking and he sees Edgar as the mad man!!
Now Upnd Cadres don’t dare dare teach me value addition for I know what it is, and HH is certainly not talking about that because I would further accuse him of failing to put issues in context, an attribute of a mad man.
To me, it appears Mr. Lubinda is not working with President Lungu. You cannot issue a contradictory statement against your superior. The logical thing would be to consult your boss and thereafter know how to phrase your statement. I await the dissolution of Parliament. A lot of comic books will come out!!