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PRESIDENT Rupiah Banda and his Tanzanian counterpart Jakaya Kikwete when he arrived for a state visit in Dar-es-Salaam
President Rupiah Banda arrived in the Tanzanian capital, Dar Es Salaam yesterday for a two day official visit to that country.
President Banda, who arrived aboard a challenger plane touched down at Julius Nyerere International Airport at 12:30 hours local time .
Mr. Banda was welcomed at the Airport by his Tanzanian counterpart Jakaya Kikwete, that country’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Bernard Membe, and Minister of Infrastructure Development Shukuvu Kawambwa.
President Banda also inspected a guard of honor and was entertained to some colorful cultural dances at the airport.
A tight programme awaits President Banda, who is accompanied by Energy and Water Development Minister Kenneth Konga, Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande and Communications and Transport Minister, Dora Siliya.
He was later expected to hold official talks with his Tanzanian counterpart Mr. Kikwete at State House.
Last evening, the President was expected to attend a State Banquet to be hosted in his honour by President Kikwete.
Mr. Banda is today expected to tour the Tanzania-Zambia Mafuta Pipeline (TAZAMA) Tank Farm before touring Ministry of Finance and Economic Development port in Kurasini area.
President Banda is expected to depart Tanzania around 12:00 hours local time after winding up the programme
Zambia striker Jacob Mulenga of French Ligue 2 club Chateauroux is out of action due to injury.
Coach Herve Renard said today that it was still uncertain whether Mulenga would be fit for Zambia’s 2010 World/Africa Cup Group C qualifier away to Egypt on March 29.
Mulenga was not part of Chateauroux’s side that drew 1-1 away to Amiens on February 6.
“He (Mulenga) wasn’t in the team at the weekend so I called someone there to find out why had happened to him that was when I was told that he is injured,” Renard said today in Lusaka.
“It will depend on the time, he needs to take his time and start training slowly, because he is a player with a big muscle.”
Meanwhile, Renard is still expecting Power Dynamos defender Francis Kasonde and Lusaka Dynamos midfielder William Njobvu to report for CHAN camp ion Lusaka.
Kasonde and Njobvu returned home on Sunday night from unsuccessful trials with Armenian champions Pyunik Yerevan while Mining Rangers defender Emmanuel Mbola remained behind after securing a deal with the same club.
Mbola’s departure has seen Renard drafting Zanaco left-back Michael Bwalya into the team.
President Rupiah Banda has dismissed media reports suggesting that his son Henry, was involved in the recent importation of the banned Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) Maize from South Africa.
Mr. Banda said although his sons have a right to participate and bid for any business, Henry had nothing to do with the imported GMO maize.
And President Banda said government will determine whether the GMO maize should be milled at the border post or returned to South Africa.
He said Vice President George Kunda and other ministers will determine the fate of the imported GMO maize impounded at some border post.
President Banda challenged Zambians to re-open debate on possible consumption of GMO maize meal as the case is in some countries.
Mr. Banda however, cautioned the country to be weary of the devastating effects of GMOs on seed banks.
He was responding to journalists at the Lusaka International Airport shortly before departure to Tanzania for a two day official visit.
A daily tabloid’s Saturday edition carried a story linking the President’s son to the recently intercepted GMO maize.
Meanwhile, President Banda has warned that he will not tolerate indiscipline as he takes charge of the MMD.
Mr. Banda who was on Saturday elected Acting MMD president said discipline is cardinal in any organisation particularly political parties.
The President disclosed that he will this week begin strategising on how best to strengthen the ruling party ahead of the 2011 General elections.
He said asertions that the MMD is deeply divided are wishful thinking by political opponents.
Mr. Banda will be in Tanzania for talks with his counterpart Jakaya Kikwete before proceeding to Malawi for similar engagements with President Bingu Wa Mutharika.
The President is accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Kabinga Pande, Communications and Transport Minister Dora Siliya and other senior government officials.
The death toll from a contaminated baby medicine sold in Nigeria has risen from 34 – recorded in early December – to 84, the health ministry has said.
There have been 111 reported cases of children who have fallen ill after being given teething syrup “My Pikin”.
The poisonous syrup was discovered last November when babies began dying of organ failure across the country.
Authorities have called on private pharmacies to turn over stocks of the paracetamol-based syrup to regulators.
The Nigerian-made mixture was found to contain engine coolant.
The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (Nafdac) shut down the Lagos-based manufacturer and the main supplier of the medicine last year.
Nafdac has also appealed to parents to not treat their children with any type of teething syrup until it can find all the remaining stocks.
The dead children are aged between two and seven, Health Minister Babatunde Osotimehin said.
“Government will leave no stone unturned to find answers to the many questions being asked by Nigerians and also ensure that such unfortunate incidents do not occur again,” he said.
The name My Pikin means my baby in Nigerian pidgin.
[ZNBC]
President Rupiah Banda says government should be given a chance to package ZAMTEL and find a correct formula for its partial disposal.
The President disclosed that ZAMTEL currently has serious financial problems with a staggering K600 billion owed to its employees.
Mr. Banda was responding to journalists at the Lusaka International Airport shortly before departure to Tanzania for a two day official visit.
He however, said Communication and Transport Minister Dora Siliya should be given a chance to issue a ministerial statement in Parliament as directed by Speaker Amusaa Mwanamwambwa.
President Banda said there is need to curb the leakage of confidential government documents to the press.
He was referring to a leaked document concerning Attorney General Mumba Malila’s legal opinion over the engagement of a private foreign firm to evaluate ZAMTEL’s assets.
President Banda said the leakage of the confidential documents constitutes indiscipline and lawlessness.
INFRASTRUCTURE at the Nitrogent Chemicals of Zambia is becoming obsolete.
By Wesley Ngwenya
A free market economy where government has less control and the market operates independently continues to sweep across Africa, Asia and Latin America in the last few decades. However, for a small and poor economy like Zambia one wonders what good the “free” market economy has brought to its citizens. Was the “free” market introduced seventeen years ago really free? What price are we paying now?
I grew up in Livingstone a border town in Southern Zambia. Livingstone at the time was a town that was filled with activities whose residents worked for state owned companies such as Livingstone Motor Assembly, Zambia Textiles, Zambia Railways, and the one my mother worked for–Zambia Cold Storage Corporation. At the time, the Livingstone residents were the tourists of their own town if you never mind the meaning of tourist. During weekends, we went to the Museums, Maramba Culture, the Victoria Falls, and other attractions in town. Life was good in the good old days until the day my vocabulary grew with a new term called “Free Market”.
Today Livingstone is like a ghost town. There are not many Zambians who really have good jobs unless they are working for the government or are business owners. The town is infested with foreigners who seem to be running the hotel and tourism industry there. The Zambians are the ones serving the whites. Have you ever been to the Livingstone Royal? That place makes you so uncomfortable in your own country.
Other than copper, today, Zambia produces nothing of its own. Before the free market economy we used to buy Zambian made blankets, shoes, clothes, bicycles, batteries, and even little Fiat cars assembled in Livingstone. Today, thank goodness for our free market economies like China (which is not a free market) are benefiting immensely. We have literally polluted our economy with cheap quality goods from China. While it is true that these goods are cheap can it be compared to the magnitude of people who have lost jobs?
Just a couple of weeks ago mines in Luanshya closed adding to the number of Zambians without jobs. A free market seems to be out of control here in our country. I think it was a big mistake for our politicians to have sold all major companies to foreigners. Zambia Commercial Bank, for instance, was sold to Robobank for a meager $25 million. I say that was a deal for the Dutch guys. Many other companies were sold at give away prices. What was the hurry for?
Today, we are seeing the problems that have come as a result of a free market. Unemployment rate continues to rise as more and more people lose their jobs. Crime continues to rise in many urban areas. Hunger is also on the rise. Corruption has been on the rise. Abuse of government resources has also been on the rise. With all these problems you would think that government would have a tangible plan to tackle them. I have not heard the current leadership address these problems head on other than the usual political rhetoric.
Government lost greatly on an opportunity to build its own industry. This industry could have been distribution powerhouse for goods and services in the region. Countries like Congo, Tanzania, Malawi, Rwanda, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Angola could have been buying finished products from Zambia. We indeed have lost revenue because we lack a visionary leadership. Needless to say, tax revenue would have been generated from manufacturing, agriculture, banking, tourism, and communication industries. This tax revenue today would have translated to be hundreds and hundreds of million dollars—money well deserved to build our infrastructure.
It is not too late for government to revamp some industry and share costs with the private partners. This way, government will continue to regulate and monitor the industries and avoid their sudden total collapse. The country has a lot of competent people who are able to run these institutions. We need to ensure that there is economic activity within our borders to avoid looking elsewhere. Zambian Airways is one perfect example where government has to bail out the company. The airline has so much potential especially with the world cup coming to our backyard in less than 500 days.
Finally, the need to do something about the state of our economy is so urgent. In fact, it is not only the obligation of our leaders to address the economic and social challenges but it is also a moral obligation. While you enjoy the benefits of a “free” market economy remember that there are many of us who are paying heavily for your freedom.
President Rupiah Banda interacts with MMD cadres who gathered outside State House in support of MMD National Executive Committee members in Lusaka yesterday
All the Provinces have endorsed President Banda as MMD president and are confident that he will unite the party.
MMD has advised members wishing to contest positions at the 2010 convention not to start campaigning now.
Speaking on behalf of all the party provincial leaders in Lusaka yesterday, North-Western Province MMD chairperson James Katoka said Mr Banda was the right man to lead the party.
“I would like to confirm that our programme has succeeded. We are happy because we did not want someone else to take over and divide the party,” he said.
Mr Katoka was confident that Mr Banda would strengthen the party further.
“As provincial leaders, we feel that we must maintain the power that we have as a party,” he said.
Northern Province MMD chairperson Griever Sikasote said he was happy that the President had started on a high note by working hard.
“We have seen the President in Kasama…he has been to Kasaba Bay. He has also been travelling outside the country on official assignments.
“This shows that he is committed and determined to develop the country. He has shown the spirit of hard work and commitment,” he said.
Mr Sikasote said Mr Banda was working to ensure that the country came out of poverty.
“We are motivated by the fact that Mr Banda was unanimously picked as party president. As provincial leaders, we will put in everything to support Mr Banda now that he is both Republican and party president,” he said.
He said the MMD provincial leadership was pleased that President Banda had focused on development issues.
Mr Sikasote commended Mr Banda for placing Luanshya Copper Mines (LCM) in the care of Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Investment Holdings (ZCCM-IH).
He was confident that ZCCM-IH would operate effectively until a strategic partner was found.
And Eastern Province chairperson Kennedy Zulu welcomed President Banda’s election as party president.
Mr Zulu said Mr Banda had experience and was dedicated to the cause of the Zambia people.
“We wish him well and we will give him total support,” he said.
Copperbelt Provincial chairperson Joseph Chilambwe said the MMD National Executive Committee (NEC) proved critics wrong by remaining united.
“We know that some people expected a lot of divisions but we were all supportive of Mr Banda. With the election of Mr Banda as party president, we see the beginning of unity in the party,” he said
The MMD NEC on Saturday elected President Banda as its acting party president until their next convention due next year.
Meanwhile, MMD spokesperson Benny Tetamashimba has said it would be premature for anybody to announce their candidature ahead of next year’s convention.
“Announcing our intentions now will not be in the best interest of the party because it will bring disunity instead of focusing on other development issues,” he said.
Mr Tetamashimba said it was now time to unite the party and forget any differences that may have arisen in the past.
“It is time to put our differences behind…lets bring order and sanity to the party,” he said.
INFRASTRUCTURE at the Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia is becoming obsolete. The firm needs needs K120 billion to recapitalize but the government has insists the fertiliser plant is not viableNitrogen Chemicals of Zambia from a distancePRODUCTION at the steel plant in Kafue is about to start. The plant is almost completeTHE Kafue Queen on the Kafue river where many people from Lusaka and Mazabuka spend their time visiting for a boat cruise at the weekendsKALEWA boxer Esther Chalwe and Mufulira’s Sally Mambwe gasping for punches Copperbelt Amateur Boxing Association league tournament at Kamuchanga Hall in Mufulira. Mambwe won 2-1 point decisionPresident Rupiah Banda interacts with MMD cadres who gathered outside State House in support of MMD National Executive Committee members in Lusaka yesterdaySome of the MMD cadres who gathered at State House in support of the national executive Committee members who met there in Lusaka on SaturdayLUAPULA province minister Boniface Kawimbe with senior chief Milambo and Chief Kasoma Lwela when the Minister paid a courtesy call to both chiefs in Mansa.Runnel and his dancing queen entertaining the audience at Hollywood CityRunnel and his dancing queen on stage during the Zain sponsored song of the year award giving ceremony at Hollywood City in Lusaka last FridayMMD national secretary Katele Kalumba (l) and spokesperson Benny Tetamashimba when they announced the partyElijah Tana (c) talking to coach Herve Renard (l) and physical trainer Patrice Beumule during the CHAN trainig session in Lusaka
I somehow found myself in front of a TV on Monday and after switching through the channels I normally watch, I realized I didn’t want to be stressed with news on the war in Gaza so I tuned to the National Geographic channel and there was a program called ‘earth investigated’. Seeing as I was in some deep thought and only wanted something to keep me busy, I thought hey, here is something to watch! A few seconds into the program, the narrator said something that I found interesting, he said in the next 2000 years, all the continents would merge into one. Scary I thought, for a moment I tried thinking about what it would be like living with the Arabs and their friends the Jews, the Russians and the Chinese living right next to us. No. I stopped right there, we are better off left apart and far from each others evils. Now how much more the proposed United States of Africa?
About three years ago, when the Libyan Colonel was the Chairman of the African Union, I was privileged to be among a group of Youth advocates as we would fondly call ourselves. In Tripoli we joined other youths from the African Continent who had been called to talk about the possibility of one African Government. Aside from the fact that it was nice mingling with fellow youths from different African countries, making friends and all, this experience was also saddening. I realized the fact that Africa was divided and the possibility of one African government was merely Utopia. Allow me to highlight a few reasons why I think its ill devised.
I will begin with the person promoting the concept of one African Government, now I know you will find it weird that I actually like the colonels idea of democracy, I will tell you that I think the Green Book (A set of principles on which Libyan Authority is founded) is one of the most brilliant collections of thought on governance I have ever come across. Aside from central authority, the green book or the Libyan system promotes participatory democracy, in which people are more involved in making decisions on issues that affect them. For someone who believes in concept driven Governance, it was easy to like this guy. But maybe you could try out the fact that the man has built a country, he has gardens in the desert and the rest is cliché. He is a great man, a great man who idolizes himself. If you go to Tripoli today all you will see is pictures of the man. One of the pictures that really caught my eye was on in which he was depicting himself as the king or supreme ruler of the entire African continent. I paused and said look, isn’t this man thinking way too much of himself? Isn’t he up to pursuing a selfish ambition? I began to understand why other African leaders were opposed to the idea.
When it came to the actual youth parliament deliberations, I was more convinced that while the idea of an African integration was good, the motives and ideals behind it were rather crude. We had a rather wired system of voting. As soon as nominations started, the name of Gaddafi’s son was brought forward and before we knew it, everyone was clapping and at the end of the day, Gaddafi’s son was announced head of the African Youth Parliament. But wait? We didn’t vote? Clearly we were sort of duped or for lack of a better term forced into choosing a leader. For me, that was fore-glimpse of what kind of Democracy we would have in a United States of Africa. Then I thought of it from another point of view, a Ugandan friend told me that it was better for Gadafhi’s son to head the Youth parliament because then we would get the necessary resources. I didn’t think that was a reason enough for someone to be elected leader of what was to be an important African body. By the way, the Libyan Leader was believed to have paid for all the expenses incurred by the youth delegates. I found that odd.
Frankly, I just think this USA is nothing more than one man’s ambition to lead a continent. Hey, doesn’t the fact that it’s now being called an African Authority tell you something?
We thank you for having given us this mighty land of the Zambezi. You have given us plenty of natural resources from which we can generate our income as a country. We have a very good climate, abundant rivers and fertile land. Lord I do not understand why we have water shortages, load shedding and shortages of mealie meal. Lord why does it have to take a farmer from a foreign land to successfully farm the land.
Lord I do not understand why our country is so dirty and full of dilapidated buildings and pothole ridden roads.Open our eyes so we can see where we have gone wrong.Lord when our leaders travel abroad, give them eyes to see the beautiful infrastructure in other countries and may they not have peace until they improve the infrastructure and facilities in our land. Lord give us a leaders who will improve UTH. Our current leaders don’t see the shame in continuously sending sick government officials to South Africa.
Lord remove selfish leaders from power. Plunder the wealth of those who have stolen from us the poor Zambians.Please give us leaders who have this nation at heart.Give us leaders who will not blindly sell our motherland to foreigners in the name of “foreign investment”. We pray that our leaders will fervently and unselfishly work to improve the welfare of the less privileged in our society. Lord though we call ourselves a Christian nation, we are a very corrupt nation. From the Passport Office to the Tender Board, from the Police to Parliament our hearts are full of deception. I guess its poverty so Lord please teach us how to use the Land you have given us to produce wealth.
We thank you for the continued peace you have given this country but sometimes we take that for granted. We are still years away from uniting as “One Zambia One Nation”. We are sick of this ethnic group accusing the other of doing this or that. We pray that for once please make the Tongas to be Bembas and make them eat Finkubala and attend church on Sunday. Similarly, make the Bembas to be Tongas so that they experience what it means to be accused of being a tribalist. Make them speak Tonga on buses and in offices and experience the response they get from the public. Give the Bembas all the cattle that belong to the Tongas and see if they will sell them to buy clothes. Increase the intermarriages between Tongas and Bembas, perhaps then the tension will reduce.
Finally, Lord, we thank you that you will hear our prayers.
“And Jesus answered them, Truly I say to you, if you have faith (a firm relying trust) and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, Be taken up and cast into the sea, it will be done” (Matthew 21:21, AMP).
Today’s Word from Joel and Victoria
We’ve all had seasons when the challenges of life feel overwhelming. During those times, it’s easy to be tempted to talk about how bad things are. Maybe you received a bad medical report, or maybe you’re facing a financial obstacle. But the more you talk about something, the bigger it becomes in your mind. Instead, you’ve got to dig your heels in and say, “No, I am not going to give life to that defeat. I am not going to speak sickness over myself. I’m not going to speak lack. I’m not going to speak fear. I’m choosing a different report. I believe the report of the Lord which says I am blessed. I am favored. I am prosperous. I am healthy. I am whole. I’m a victor, not a victim.”
Remember, even if you don’t see how things could ever work out, God does. You’ve got to speak to those mountains in your life and declare favor over those situations. Instead of talking to God about how big your problems are, talk to your problems about how big your God is! As you speak to your mountains, they will be moved, and you will move forward into the victory God has prepared for you!
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word which is life to my spirit. I receive Your strength today and choose to speak to the mountains, so I can move forward in the victory You have in store for me. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Herve Renard has said the door is open for midfielder William Njobvu & defender Francis Kasonde to return to his CHAN team after their deal to join Armenian champions Pyunik Yerevan fell through.
However, Renard will be without defender Emmanuel Mbola of division 1 north club Mining Rangers who is set to agree terms with Pyunik after a two-week trial spell with the former Soviet republic club whom he has accompanied to the UAE on a pre-season training camp.
Kasonde of Power Dynamos and Njobvu from Lusaka Dynamos are both due back home on tomorrow, Saturday after their respective clubs rejected deals with Pyunik.
Renard said after Friday mornings training session in Lusaka that it was sad that 17-year-old Mbola was signing with Pyunik because he had hardly played any high-level football in the local league for more than two years.
All three players have missed the first two weeks of Zambia’s CHAN training camp that left Renard fuming at the lack of commitment for the inaugural tournament exclusively for home-based players to be hosted by Cote d’Ivoire from February 22 to March 8.
Mbola makes the quantum leap to Europe from division 1 north football with his move to the minor former south-eastern Soviet republic enclave straddled between Iran and Russian.
“He (Mbola) is too young and only 17 years old and has never played in the Zambian premier league,” Renard said.
“He has not been playing for the national team for a long time and I think it is a mistake for him to sign with a club like that.”
Mbola made his Zambia debut against Angola in a CHAN qualifier on December 13 at Konkola Stadium in Chililabombwe that Renard’s side won 1-0 to qualify 3-1 on aggregate to the tournament.
He went on to receive three more caps with Zambia at the Cecafa Senior Challenge Cup held in Uganda in January.
Mbola had prior to his move to Armenia had also been linked with 2-time league champions Zanaco.
Sinazongwe District Health Director Dr Angel Mwiche has disclosed that all the boreholes in Maamba Township were contaminated and has called for improvement of the sewerage system.
Speaking at the District Epidemic Preparedness Committee meeting on Thursday, Dr Mwiche said all the boreholes that were tested in Maamba were positive except for the one at the Maamba Mine School for special education.
Dr Mwiche said it was better to set up a sewerage system than having septic tanks since most people depend on borehole water.
He said the situation would, in the long run, lead to the contamination of the underground water.
Dr Mwiche observed that the same scenario was also happening in Lusaka where more people have septic tanks.
“We are sitting on a time bomb because once problems occur it would be difficult to address them,” Dr Mwiche said.
The meeting also noted that the drainage system in Maamba Township was poor and urged the council to immediately work on it.
President Rupiah Banda said government is developing measures to mitigate the adverse impact of the global credit crunch on the mining industry.
President Banda said the measures are intended to address concerns raised by the mining companies in order to reduce job loses and develop a mechanism to salvage mining operations.
He said this in a speech read for him by Vice President, George Kunda, at the official opening of the 2009 African Mining Congress (AMC) in Livingstone yesterday.
Mr. Banda said although the economic meltdown has adversely affected the economy, particularly the mining sector, government will remain committed to get the country onto a firm economic base.
Mr. Banda said he was happy with the confidence from some investors who are willing to invest in the mining sector in Zambia despite the prevailing global economic problems.
He observed that despite the fall in metal prices, investors have not been deferred their investment plans in the country.
He said the long term view for the sector is that the world’s demand for the metals, mainly driven by India and China, is likely to rebound and bring back mining operations to normal.
The President said it is government’s policy to ensure that the business environment remains attractive for further investment in the country.
He said in the medium and long terms, Zambia will continue to attract investors in the mining sector due to its conducive investment atmosphere.
He noted that Zambia still offers some of the best incentives in the mining industry such as exemption from custom and exercise duty on all mining equipment and machinery imported for mining purposes.
President Banda has further expressed confidence that the congress would provide a framework for business people from southern Africa and other regions to discuss and share ideas on the future of the mining industry on the continent in the wake of falling metal prices on the world market.
He urged Southern African states and the continent at large to consider coming up with a common approach to issues of taxation and environment which are key to sustainable development of the mining sector.
He said the southern African region has much to gain from the development of their mining economies through employment, taxation and other benefits, adding that the mining sector will only be sustained through enhanced cooperation.
Mr. Banda said the decision to continue hosting the congress in Zambia is good for the region because it will help develop the mining sector and therefore contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of the people.
Earlier, AMC Chairperson, Michel Ashby, said the sector has continued to contribute positively to human needs.
She said despite the various downturns that the mining industry has gone through, there is still hope that it will still return to normal operations.
She said Zambia plays an important role in the production of minerals for the global market.
ZANIS/CM/KSH/ENDS
The speaker of the National Assembly has directed Agriculture Minister Brian Chituwo to issue a ministerial statement on the reported shortage of mealie meal especially in Southern Province.
Amusaa Mwanamwambwa said the minister should urgently make an inquiry into the reported shortage of the staple food and report to parliament quickly.
This followed a point of order raised by Mazabuka MP Garry Nkombo who wondered whether the minister of agriculture was in order to remain quiet amid reports of mealie meal shortage in Southern province.
Mr. Nkombo quoting Friday’s newspapers, told the house that people had formed long queues at Mazabuka’s shoprite as early as 04 hours in attempts to buy mealie meal.
In his rulling the Speaker said although the point of order was unprocedural, the subject matter was of great concern as it involved people’s welfare.
Choma milling which is the main supplier of mealie meal in Southern Province has shut down its operations citing a shortage of maize.
Company managing director Jon Mackatos who confirmed the development to ZANIS in Choma said the plant stopped operating due to lack of maize.
Mr Mackatos said the milling plant had signed a contract with the Food Reserve Agency for the supply of 7, 000 metric tonnes of maize for the month of January but only 400 tonnes was received.
He said the 400 tonnes is only sufficient for one day’s production of mealie meal due to the plants big production capacity.
Mr Mackatos said it has become difficult under the present circumstances to continue running the plant in the absence of the raw material.
The milling plant is the only one producing mealie meal in the district and servicing surrounding district of Sinazongwe, Namwala, Kalomo and other southern province towns.
And district commissioner Laiven Apuleni told ZANIS in Choma the suspension of production is unfortunate and will impact negatively on the availability of mealie meal in the district.
Mr Apuleni said management at Choma milling had tried their best to source maize but have found it increasingly difficult.
He said has appealed to the Food Reserve Agency to act expeditiously because the situation has gone out of hand in the district.
A survey by ZANIS in Choma found that most retail outlets have run out of mealie meal while those found with the commodity had abnormally inflated the price of 25 kilgoramme breakfast bag to K 75, 000.
Several residents have now been gripped with panic over the shortage of mealie meal whose price is rising on daily basis.
