Government has announced that it will no longer allow maize and mealie exports following the country’s maize and mealie meal shortage.
Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister Jack Mwiimbu announced during a media briefing monitored by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT – That Government is no longer giving mealie meal nor maize export permits as there is a shortage of the commodity in the country.
Mwiimbu said despite the policy of Government to allow exports, Government is currently not exporting any maize or mealie meal because the country has a deficit.
The Zambian Business Times – ZBT in an editorial had advised government to either temporary ban or issue strict exports quotas for Maize and mealie as an immediate measure to stabilize the situation
Mwiimbu has explained that, “The policy is that we are going to allow exports if there is a surplus but currently there is no surplus and as a result we are not giving any export permit to anyone to export maize out of the country because there is a deficit.”
“Our concentration currently is to ensure that Zambia is Maize secure and if after the harvesting season we realize more maize that can be exported we will actualize the policy that is still in place.” He added.
So we are not allowing anymore exports outside the country because there is a deficit in the country and once we have sufficient maize millers will be allowed to export.
Mwiimbu remarked that government has also enhanced security in border areas where it has been noted that mealie meal and maize has been smuggled.
Speaking at the same event, Defence Minister Ambrose Lufuma said food security in the country is on top of the government’s agenda because we know food security means national security which means peace to the environment.
Lufuma who spoke during the briefing said despite government’s efforts to secure maize across the country there has been smuggling of mealie meal into some neighbouring countries which does not only amount to economic sabotage but also compromises Zambia’s food security.
“Food security is national security and anyone tempering with food security is tempering with the national security and as Ministers charged with defence and security of the country we shall never allow this deliberate sabotage for the national security through smuggling of mealie meal.”
Lufuma said defence and security wings have been directed to enhance security on the copperbelt and our men and women will ensure that the situation is brought under control.
“We also want to appeal to the public avoid panicking and buying more than a number of bags your family requires.” He said.
