The Food Reserve Agency (FRA)has challenged Millers to adhere to the tripartite agreement and ensure that there is a steady supply of mealie meal on the market pegged at the recommended prices.
FRA has confirmed that they have released a total of fifty seven thousand nine hundred and eight-seven metric tonnes (57, 987 MTs) of white maize under the Tripartite Agreement maize program signed with the Millers association of Zambia (MAZ) and the Grain Traders Association of Zambia (GTAZ).
FRA Public Relations Coordinator John Chipandwe has told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT through a statement on March 17, 2020 that the 57,987 MTs released was out of a total of seventy-one thousand, six hundred and eight nine point nine one metric tonnes (71, 689.91 MTs) of white maize that the Agency is required to contribute to the Tripartite Agreement.
Chipandwe explained that the released quantity was as at Friday 13th March 2020 and implies that the Agency still has a balance of thirteen thousand, seven hundred and three metric tonnes (13,703 MTs) of maize yet to be released to Millers covered under the Tripartite Agreement.
‘‘The Agency further wishes to state that, the total maize allocation under the Tripartite Agreement was two hundred and ninety-three thousand, six hundred and forty-three point five metric tonnes (293, 643.05 MTs). Out of which two hundred and twenty-one thousand, nine hundred and fifty-three point fourteen (221, 953.14 MTs), was an allocation to be contributed by the GTAZ with their own maize,’’ he said.
And Chipandwe said the maize allocations have not yet been depleted and that the mealie meal shortage was artificial, contrary to speculations that the maize allocation under the tripartite agreement had run out. He said the Agency, GTAZ and MAZ still has enough Maize.
Members of the public have raised concern with FRA and the parties to the tripartite agreement and called for an inquiry to ensure that the erring parties are taken to task and appropriate legal action taken.
