The auditor general’s report for the financial years ended 31st December 2021 and 2022 has revealed that 18,764 metric tons of 50Kg bags of maize valued at over k4 million got damaged at 20 food reserve agency (FRA) depots due to poor storage facilities.
According to Section 7 part 7.1.1.3 and 7.1.1.4 of the property management department standard operational manual, FRA is mandated to conduct preventive maintenance and routine inspections to ensure that buildings and infrastructure assure longevity and identify maintenance needs of infrastructure and equipment.
However, according to the AG’s report seen by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, a physical verification undertaken at the 20 FRA depots revealed that the 18,764 x 50Kg maize valued at over K4 million was stacked outside and got damaged due to exposure to elements of weather such as moisture seepage and overheating.
“A physical verification undertaken at twenty (20) FRA depots revealed that 18,764 x 50Kg maize valued at K4, 006,720 stacked outside got damaged due to exposure to elements of weather such as moisture seepage and overheating. A physical inspection of storage facilities carried out in selected depots in August 2023 revealed that the storage facilities were in poor condition and not suitable for storage of maize and other grains,” revealed the report.
The report revealed that Kasama, Chimba, Luwingu and Mbala FRA depots of Northern Province had 4,049 x 50kg bags of rotten and discoloured maize valued at over k698, 000 while Mpongwe and Masaiti depots had 89 x 50 kg bags of rotten maize valued at over k13, 000.
Luano, Mkushi and Kapiri Mposhi depots of central province had 6,294 x 50kg bags of rotten soya beans and maize valued at over 1,000,000 while Mako depots of north western province had 321 x 50kg bags of rotten and discoloured maize valued at over k57, 000.
Katete, Vulamukoko, Sinda and Muchimudzi depots of Eastern province had 713 x 50kg bags of rotten maize valued at over 121,000 while Thendere, Muyombe, Chitapo, Mulekatembo, Mwenzo and Isoka depots of Muchinga province had 4, 400 x 50kg bags of rotten maize valued at over k791, 000.
Meanwhile, Namwala, Monze, Mazabuka and Kalomo depots of Southern Province had 2,898 x 50kg bags of rotten and discoloured maize valued at over k521, 000.
