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Opinion

By Donald Mumba

After much talk about pivoting to the west, the reality on the ground, the substance over form is that Zambia is still tapping China for major infrastructure projects. Whenever there is a major infrastructure financing need, it seems no western companies are capable of competing with their Chinese or Eastern bloc counterparts.

While the West seem to have won the minds of many in the ideological support for a semblance of democratic governance system that is practiced in Zambia, when it comes to economic realities on hard core infrastructure investments and financing, the Chinese have so far won the bids to do the three largest projects even under the new dawn administration.

It was initially thought that the western firms would come into Zambia in droves after the change of government in 2021, from the Patriotic Front – PF which was seen to be more leaning to the East and China to the United Party for National Development – UPND which was seen as leaning more to the West, alas, the situation on the ground seems like a continuation of the status quo as far as infrastructure financing and construction is concerned.

Take for instance the top three infrastructure projects so far confirmed in Zambia from the time the new dawn administration took over, we have seen a Chinese consortia winning the bid to do the Chingola – Kasumbalesa dual road project worth about USD32 million, we also saw the Chinese consortia again being awarded the tender to do the much awaited USD650 million Lusaka – Ndola dual carriage way road.

Another major economic project that has seen even President Hakainde Hichilema launch, was the USD600 million United Capital Fertilizer project to make Zambia self-sufficient in UREA fertilizers production and cut imports that should see the Kwacha end its November to March annual depreciation streak experienced when importing large quantities of fertilizers.  

These are real tangible projects which even the most Sino skeptical locals can see, with their impact on the national economy clear for everyone who cares to see. Of course, what seems to have changed is the reduced skepticism of corruption in contract awards, overpricing accusations and China bashing by foreign diplomats in Zambia and western financed non-governmental organizations plying their trade in the country.

The bottom line is that the Chinese and the Eastern bloc have retained their reputation for execution, financial ability and technical know-how on executing projects at acceptable terms to ordinary folks in developing country like Zambia. Now, contrast this with the western support and economic support pledges.

The largest project that was expected after the takeover by the new dawn administration was on electric batteries manufacturing industry, it was taunted to worth in excess of USD15 billion for just the initial phase, but it is still on paper, not even land has been secured, no construction has started and no top ranking official seems to be able to give a proper update on when exactly this project will commence.

Most skeptics are now saying that this project was only made to hoodwink members of the public to look away from a leaning to the East based economic partnerships. Projections to increase copper production to over 3 million tons from the current about 800,000 tons by 2031 have still not been broken down to actual milestones or mines projected production figures that can be independently tracked, making the whole episode feel like an excuse for justifying the award of unjustified tax incentives.

The only tangible project from the western based companies we have seen is the launch of the USD30 million Mimbula mine. The other was the USD100 million enterprise Nickle mine which was projected to start earning about USD800 million per annum, but it’s difficult to confirm if these revenues ever touch the Zambian banking industry or forex market.

Yes, we do get announcements from Western countries of hundreds of millions of US dollars investments in the health sector but are these investments tangible, how much of that support actually comes into the Zambian economy? How much of it has ever been invested in local medicine and medical equipment manufacturing so that future self-sufficiency can be attained?

For Zambia, we need to be allowed to engage both the East and the West, tap the countries with the most efficient system in specific areas of economic and socio-cultural endeavor. Today, Zambia needs infrastructure to open up the country for full exploitation of its massive natural resources.

One important and urgent need for the new dawn government to not only outside for foreign direct investments, but how to avail local investment by having a local financial system that can provide affordable and competitive financing. Even most of these mines and projects that politicians think can only be done by foreign investors, can be done by local investors if a proper and working financial system is put in place.

The stock exchange – LuSE needs to start working for local investors and SMEs, banks and micro financiers need regulatory guidance and support to back local businesses. Only then will the demographic dividend and youth unemployment be tackled. There is no country that has ever successfully outsourced its development agenda. Only Zambians and local businesses can meaningfully and sustainably develop Zambia.

About the Author; Donald Mumba is the Managing Editor and Director of the Zambian Business Times – ZBT. For comments and contributions email: donald.mumba@zambianbusinesstimes.com

Picture below is Zambia’s President HH and Zhang Jinyue, Vice President for Wuhuan Engineering Company during the launch of the construction of United Capital Fertiliser plant.

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By Donald Mumba After much talk about pivoting

Tech

The 32 kilometers Chingola-Kasumbalesa road which is the first deal that the New Dawn UPND administration has clinched after taking over government will not deliver the cost savings that were anticipated as the final cost per kilometer will also cost about US$1 million per kilometer.

The Ministry of Infrastructure development has disclosed following a concession agreement singed to design, finance, build and maintain the Chingola to Kasumbalesa road through a Public Private Partnership – PPP model will be done at a total cost of about US$31 million.

The total cost of US$31 million for 32km roads works out to about US$1 million per kilometer, a rate that was thought to have been exhorbitant. The Zambian government on 31st October signed ab 18 years concession agreement with a Chinese consortium Turbo Investment Consortia –TIC to design, finance, build and maintain the Chingola to Kasumbalesa road.

Mininister of infrastructure Charles Milupi said,  the “government on 14 February 2022 received a proposal from private partnership for the design financing building operation maintenance and transfer of the 35 kilometeres of the T3 mining transportation channel of the Chingola Kasumbalesa on the Copperbelt province.”

“Following evaluation of the proposal and negotiations in line with the provisions of the private public partnership, act NO. 14 of 2009 and as amended, government agreed to enter into a concession agreement with the preferred bidder for execution on the design finance build maintain operate and transferee basis.” Milupi said.

He explained to the Zambian Business Times -ZBT – that the construction cost of the 3 kilometres concrete dual courage way leading into Kasumbalesa and the rehabilitation of approximately 32 kilometers of the Chingola Kasumbalesa road has been agreed at US$31,037,030.96 without taxes.

Milupi said the scope of works and notable features to be done on the project include rehabilitation and widening of 32km of the existing road with the cross section to be adopted shall comprise a 3.5 meter lane with a 2.5 shoulder 2 meters of which are paved and the point 5 meters is unpaved on the both side of the courage way affecting 12 meters.

He said the project also comprise the Construction of 3 kilometres concrete dual courage way in Kasumbalesa town and construction of 2 trucking areas and laybys for both north and south bound trucks.

“Others include the construction of lanes that will allow for accommodation of traffic during construction, repaving of the bridge, construction of 1 toll plaza and construction 1 type 2 weigh bridge with in motion weighing station in accordance to the SADC standards specifications which costs will be shared with government.” He said.

Milupi said the parties have agreed to a 18 year concession period with the construction period of 1 year but could not disclose when the concessionaire will begin to collect tolls or if the current toll rates would be maintained.

He however said Public infrastructure shall be at the right price quality and timeline adding that this was on the understanding that all the risks associated with funding mechanisms are to be bon by the concessionaire and could also not make mention of the quality.

He said the scope of work include, “a 32 kilometres from the section to be rehabilitee and 6 kilometers that’s the dual the last 3 kilometers to be dualised from the section in kasumbalesa. 14 kilometers worked out from the widening cross section is usually 6.8 meters comprising of 3.4 meter lanes. The adopted cross section for the project is 11 meters with 3.5 meters lane and 2 meters sealed shoulders which alone works out to be 21 kilometers compared to an ordinary road.”

Milupi mentioned that the 32 km is an asphalt road and the last 3 kilometres which will be dual courage way will be concrete. When averaged over 35km, the cost per kilometer comes to about US$885k. When in opposition, the UPND promised to negotiate roads contract cost to below US$500k per km.

“The agreement is on the understanding that all the risks associated with funding mechanisms will be bon by the concessionaire itself with no assistance from the government of the republic of Zambia.” He said.

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The 32 kilometers Chingola-Kasumbalesa road which is

Agribusiness

Katete District Commissioner has disclosed that the date for commissioning of the much anticipated Eastern Tropical Fruit processing plant has not yet been set despite the factory being ready for commissioning.

Katete District Commissioner – DC – Malan Zimba exclusively told the Zambian Business Times – ZBT – in an interview that the plant which is expected to employee about 300 workers was set with about 40 people so far employed.

The K160 million, Industrial Development Cooperation (IDC)’s Eastern Tropical Fruit processing plant in Katete District of Eastern Province was set for commissioning in October 2020 and later postponed to May 2021, due to delays in the arrival of factory equipment as well as the COVID-19 restrictions that were instituted in various countries. The plant was latter set for commissioning in the third quarter of 2022 and since then no clear explanation has been made towards the same.

Efforts to however get a comment from the Industrial Development Cooperation IDC on why the commissioning has delayed proved futile by press time.

When asked why the plant has delayed to be commissioned despite all works being completed, Zimba said, “I think the only challenge had been logistical challenges and the IDC concentrated much on the Mwinilunga plant as they wanted it to be on a full scale operation before they could concentrate on the one in katete.” The DC assured that the plant will be commissioned soon.

The fruit process plant is a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) between governments through the IDC with 70 percent shares while Vitaplus Foods Limited, a Zambian company holds 30 percent shares.

Zimba said once operational, the Eastern Fruit processing plant is expected to improve the economy of Katete District of Eastern Province as the farmers will also be empowered and will no longer be waiting for the rain season to grow fruits and other things they can supply to the plant adding that this will indeed bring a lot of revenue to the district.

Zimbia added that over 300 people are likely to be employed a situation he said will reduce the high number of unemployment in the District.

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Katete District Commissioner has disclosed that the

Mining

The National Union of Miners and Allied Workers -NUMAW- has maintained that the situation at both Mopani copper Mines MCM and Konkola Copper Mines KCM is desperate as the mines are surviving on imports.

NUMAW National President Saul Simujika said KCM is only surviving on the Copper ore and concentrate imports from Congo as it is failing to meet in-house production. Government had taken over KCM from Vedanta through a liquidation route after a row over vedanta relations with key stakeholders over delays in paying local suppliers and accusations of tax dodging.

Earlier the MineWorkers Union of Zambia – MUZ – had described as shocking that KCM had denied their statement that the mine is failing to meet production targets and planning requirements when everything could be seen from their operations and output.

KCM provisional liquidator Celine Nair had earlier denied claims by three unions representing workers at the company and its subsidiaries that the mine was not meeting production and planning requirements.

This was after the Mine Workers Union of Zambia (MUZ), the National Union of Mining and Allied Workers (NUMAW), and the United Mine Workers of Zambia (UMUZ) issued a joint statement suggesting that employees of KCM subsidiaries, the Konkola Mineral Resources Limited (KMRL) and KCM SmelterCo Limited, were reporting for work without being assigned tasks.

Simujika has reiterated that there is no serious mining activities taking place at KCM adding that the mine is only surviving on concentrates from DRC and other regions.

NUMAW National President Saul Simujika has since appealed to government to stabilize the mining industry on the Copperbelt to revive the region’s economy.

The delay in finding a lasting solution for both KCM and Mopani Copper Mines has led to desperation with even some suppliers and union officials who are very much aware of the vedanta indiscretions making a U-turn to even call for the return of both Vedanta for KCM and Glencore for Mopani.

The continued failure by government to come up with short, medium and long term plans for the two Mines to continue operations with a potential of 500,000 tonnes in annual production has paralyzed business on the entire compperbelt. The two Mines have four locations in Kitwe, Mufulira, Chingola and Chililabombwe.

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The National Union of Miners and Allied

Tech

Airtel Africa Group CEO, Segun Ogunsanya, has reaffirmed the joint commitment by Airtel Africa and UNICEF to accelerate access to quality education to millions of children in Africa, through digital learning.

Ogunsanya, who was speaking during a visit to Kitende Secondary School, Entebbe, one of the schools connected to the internet by the mobile telecommunications operator, stated that “Airtel Africa is cognizant of the great value education contributes to our nations across the continent, which is why we are very deliberate in promoting education and empowering our people.

This is according to a statement made available to the Zambian Business Times by Airtel Zambia’s Head Corporate Communications Yuyo Nachali Kambikambi.

“Airtel Africa will continue to support the shared efforts of the Government of Uganda, by identifying and collaborating with strategic partners like UNICEF to transform the way our children learn. We commit to do this in Uganda and across the 13 other countries where Airtel Africa operates,” Ogunsanya pledged.

While commending the government of Uganda for showing high level of commitment to the digitization of education, Ogunsanya also recognized the pivotal role being played by UNICEF in supporting African children. He charged the students to take good advantage of the resources through the partnership between Airtel Africa and UNICEF to further their academic pursuits in order to realize their dreams in life.

Also speaking on the occasion, the state minister for Primary Education, Dr. Moriku Kaducu, acknowledged the positive contribution by Airtel Uganda and UNICEF in the transformation of educational opportunities for children. She pledged government to support the partnership in the form of a conducive policy framework and continuous engagements to drive down the tax rates on end-user devices and data for educational purposes.

The UNICEF Representative to Uganda, Dr. Munir Safieldin, had explained that “through the Kolibri digital learning platform, the partnership will reach 54,000 students with USSD/SMS based content optimized for mobile. Currently, Kolibri is available in over 100 secondary schools with computer labs and 15 youth-friendly ICT centers in refugee settlements. An estimated 16,000 learners and 350 teachers in secondary schools have interacted with the Kolibri initiative. More than 1,080 adolescents and 200 trained volunteers are involved in the out of school Kolibri initiative implementation. To-date over 7,500 registered users with over 200,000 content interactions.”

Airtel Africa and UNICEF launched the $57m 5-year partnership in 2021, to accelerate the roll-out of digital learning for children by connecting schools to the internet and ensuring free access to learning platforms in Uganda and other Airtel Operating Countries, to ensure that every child reaches their full potential.

In Uganda 100 schools will be connected in the first 2 years, with the objective of reaching 54,750 students and teachers in primary and secondary schools across the country, with a particular focus on rural schools in the West Nile and Karamoja regions.

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Airtel Africa Group CEO, Segun Ogunsanya, has

Markets

Zambia’s inflation rate has returned to double digits for the first time in 11 months in April as a sharp depreciation in the kwacha in the last quarter fired by slow progress in debt restructuring. 

The annual inflation rate in Zambia has accelerated to 10.2% in April 2023, up from 9.9% in March, returning to double digits for the first time in almost a year.

The April 10.2 percentage is 2.2 percentage points above the top limit of the central bank’s 6%-8% target range. 

According to official statistics the upward pressure came from both food 11.6% from 11.8% in March while non-food products quickened to 8.3% compared to 7.3% in March.

Speaking in Lusaka during the monthly bulletin dissemination attended by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, Statistician-General Mulenga Musepa disclosed that of the overall 10.2 percent annual inflation, Lusaka province contributed the highest at 3.4 percentage points followed by Copperbelt and Central provinces at 1.9 and 1.0 percentage points, respectively. Eastern and Southern provinces contributed 0.9 percentage points each, while North-western province had the lowest contribution of 0.3 percentage points.

Experts have hinted that the acceleration in inflation, upside risks from higher electricity tariffs for large users and the volatility in the currency may persuade the Bank of Zambia’s monetary policy committee to lift the key interest rate, which is at 9.25%, for a second time this year at its May 17 meeting.

On a monthly basis, consumer prices rose by 0.9% in April, after increasing 1.1% in the prior month. 

Overall monthly inflation for April 2023 was recorded at 0.9 percent compared with 1.0 percent in the previous month. This outturn was mainly attributed to price decreases in selected food items.

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Zambia’s inflation rate has returned to double

Highlights

President Hakainde Hichilema has warned Ministers and Government officials to improve their performance and avoid irresponsible expenditure of public resources.

Speaking at the Presidential Delivery Unit leadership workshop Monitored by the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, the Head of State said the lack of work efforts being put in by some ministries is hindering Government’s development agenda.

The President questioned some Ministers and other Government officials who attended the meeting on what they have done since they were appointed.

“What have you done as Ministers in your Ministry to change for the better, you were elected on the ticket for the change what have you done? Do you know what you need to do? And have you done those things you needed to do?” he questioned.  

“The Ministers who superintends the PSs what have you done to save public resources and reallocate the savings into growth revenue generating areas, most of you are guilty here and hopefully from today we will wash away the shame first from ourselves individually.”

“I am tired of swearing in people. How many people are we going to remove from positions because of failure to deliver? I want us to deliver. We want to change this and we will change it and if we don’t want, it will not change but why should we be paid our salaries?” he said.

He observed that some Ministers and Permanent Secretaries are perpetually travelling and seeking out salaries and yet they were not delivering anything profitable.

“Some Ministers are perpetually travelling, but no delivery. You should be ashamed! This is also the same for some Permanent secretaries. As a Minister you should be ashamed to fill in a form for the president to allow you to travel before you have done the basics that you need to take care of in your offices.” He added.

President Hichilema has since directed Secretary to Cabinet Patrick Kangwa to sell all brand New Land -cruiser VX vehicles bought after UPND formed government and revenues invested in productive areas that will create jobs.

The President expressed shock that some Ministers and other leaders in Government were still applying to buy new VXs to be purchased for them to move from home to their offices.

“We are servants and not kings, we should not be feared by people we work with, anyone who got a new VX after we formed government I will give an instruction which should be followed to bring those vehicles and they will be sold” he said.

President Hichilema reiterated that Ministers do not need expensive vehicles like VX’s when it comes to service delivery and has since ordered that all VX’s purchased after the UPND formed Government be sold out.

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President Hakainde Hichilema has warned Ministers and

Mining

The wanton award of tax and non-tax incentives to large scale mining companies by successive Zambian governments has resulted in over 20,000 employees and ex-employees of two large mining companies to miss out on the National Pension Scheme Authority – NAPSA partial withdrawal benefits even after working for over 10 years.

Over 20,000 Konkola Copper Mines – KCM and Mopani Copper Mines – MCM employees and ex-employees are unable to claim for their NAPSA partial withdraw benefits after working for over 10 years for the two mining houses.

After the signing into law of the National Pension Scheme Amendment Bill 2023 which allows for the partial withdrawal of pensions, about 12, 000 KCM employees & ex-employees (at the time under Vedanta) and over 10, 000 Mopani (at the time under Glencore) employees and ex-employees do not qualify for NAPSA partial withdrawal, at 20 percent, of the retirement benefits by beneficiaries who made 60 months contributions to NAPSA or have attained the age of 45.

On the 17th of April 2023, the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema announced the signing into law of the National Pension Scheme Amendment Bill 2023 allows for the partial withdrawal of pensions.

As stated by President Hichilema, the new law will give citizens the opportunity to re-invest the funds into various ventures and assets of their choice. As a result, this will inject liquidity into the economy thereby, more jobs will be created, contributing to the national economic development agenda.

However, the Zambian Business Times – ZBT can exclusively disclose that about 22, 000 KCM and Mopani employees will miss out of cashing out of their pre-retirement Lump sum benefit due to waivers that were given to these large scale copper mines.

The National Union of Miners and Allied Workers – NUMAW president SAUL SIMUJIKA confirmed to ZBT in an exclusive interview that both KCM and Mopani from sometime in 2004, had a waiver for remitting NAPSA, so they were not remitting both employer and employee contributions, meaning people were not getting any deductions.

Simujika added that the two mines were however not breaking the law because they were given that waiver by [the MMD administration] Government, meaning they were still acting within the law and waivers given to them.

“People [and the two mining companies] never contributed and they can’t claim because they didn’t contribute from somewhere from 2004 up to about 2015 when KONKOLA Copper Mine (KCM) and Mopani Copper Mine (MCM) started remitting statutory contributions for their workers to the National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA).”

This followed Government‘s move to sign Statutory Instrument (SI) number one of 2014 which revoked the exemption of the two mining companies from contributing to NAPSA.

He said everybody who was working there during that period are unable to claim for their benefits and remember the two mines had thousands of employees but after somewhere in 2014 when the two mines resumed the contributions, people started receiving deductions.

For KCM around that time, it had over 12 000 and about 10 000 employees for Mopani and all these are unable to get their benefits though most of them have even retired and only those that are still in employment qualify for the benefit after the contribution was reversed.

When asked about the position of the union Simujika said, “It is not something that we can negotiate because it is Government that had given KCM and Mopani waiver so there is nothing that we can do.”

There has been documented historical misdeeds by both Vedanta and Glencore to local suppliers and employees, with accusations of arm twisting government officials and not paying taxes but reports are indicating that these same firms are plotting a return to Zambia after being exited. This NAPSA issue is just but one of the glaring examples of misdeeds.

Meanwhile efforts to get a comment from KCM Management on how many employees are able to claim their NAPSA benefits since the signing into law of the National Pension Scheme Amendment Bill 2023 which allows for the partial withdrawal of pensions, proved futile by press time.

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The wanton award of tax and non-tax

Tech

Within a space of three weeks, Airtel Networks Zambia Plc has once again walked away with four awards, this time from the Zambia Institute of Marking (ZIM) prestigious awards night held over the weekend in Livingstone. 

Consumers voted “My Airtel App” as the popular winner in 3 categories of ‘Best Brand Campaign of the Year’, the ‘Best Digital Campaign of the Year’ and the ‘Best TV Ad of the Year’.

In a statement made available to the Zambian Business Times – ZBT, by Airtel’s Head – Corporate Communications Yuyo Nachali-Kambikambi, Airtel Zambia also was recognised for its “Fraud Awareness Campaign” which won the ‘Best Radio Ad of the Year.’

Airtel’s Head of Brand and Communication, Maxwell Ng’ambi, was named “Marketing Personality” of the Year for his contribution to the Marketing industry.

Speaking about the awards, Airtel Zambia Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) Mr Hussam Baday said: “We are excited once again to receive awards recognising our efforts as a Company.”

Baday said Airtel’s aim is to continue playing its part in enabling connectivity and thereby supporting economic growth as envisaged in the 8th National Development Plan. He said Airtel is committed to providing the best customer experience through a superior network and best Service.

“The Airtel App is a fine example of impactful digital innovations done at Airtel that makes lives for customers simpler and improves the experience. As more and more people graduate to smart phones, the Airtel app allows that convenience of managing their own and their families’ subscriptions. Also using the app makes sending money safer as you are less likely to make mistakes.”

He added that, “As for the Campaign on Fraud Awareness, in conjunction with our regulators, we have continued to educate customers through our various channels like SMS and all our social media handles on any emerging fraud types.”

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Within a space of three weeks, Airtel

Lifestyle

The United Party for National Development UPND Solwezi East Member of Parliament says residents of Mushindamo including himself are surviving on Kandolo (sweet potatoes) as they are unable to access the country’s staple food.

UPND MP Dr Alex Katakwe said life has become unbearable for the people in Mushindamo District of North-Western Province of Zambia, as they are unable to access mealie meal due to commodity shortage in the District adding that the situation on the ground has become very bad on the ground.

 He told the Zambian Business Times in an interview that, “There is no mealie meal here as we speak because there has been some strict measures by the Zambia National service ZNS when it comes to transportation of mealie meal in the District and People who go to buy the commodity from Solwezi by the time they reach the ZNS check point the commodity is either confiscated or urged to get it back to Solwezi.” He said added that some people when they reach the check point they go through the bush just in order to survive and that is why I thought the only solution is to engage the ZNS.

He added that, “People have been crying to me their area Member of Parliament saying that they voted for change and that they are not seeing anything tangible happening and I have been engaging the Permanent secretary, minister of agriculture and ZNS to see how best we can have the commodity in the shortest period of time.” Can you imagine I have also failed to buy mealie for the time I have been here and we have been eating Kandolo and ifilashi because there is no mealie meal and there is no shop in Mushindamo today where you can find mealie meal.

He attributed this to unrestricted exporting of the commodity before Government announced the ban and the strict measures that have now been put by the Zambia National service to curb the commodity crisis in the country.

Before the restriction of export of mealie meal into DRC, the bag of mealie meal here was going between k250 and k280 although the road was too bad such that only one truck would manage to deliver within one month.  

The mealie meal was costing about k250 and k280 on the Zambian side but our colleagues from the DRC they would buy in bulky and those who do not have shops at the border they would just take in trucks and off load on the trucks from DRC.

Because we do not have many locals with shops at the boarder where they can use them as outlets with genuine papers, many would be subjected to do illegal kind of business without papers where they just offload mealie meal to the DRC trucks who stock it in their country and then the Zambian people begin to buy again the commodity when there is a shortage and that is why the commodity price was high when it was available.

Not only that but sometimes the Congolese would come and sell the mealie on the Zambia soil and determine the cost which has been actually very unfair and to that effect I have been calling the councils to up their game when it comes to regulating the prices at the border as the Congolese would come and sell using their currency which to me I feel we have been a little bit week on the Zambian side.

Asked on the short term measures being put in place to resolve the situation, Dr Katakwe said, “There was some recommendation that we ask the ministry through cabinet that we ask some big local shops that has got trading mealie meal license to be given the right to procure and stock the commodity and sell at the correct and affordable price for the sake of the people of Mushindamo.”

So we are hoping as we meet the ZNS we engage them so that they can do the verification of the shops and hopefully by next week we need to see some mealie meal being offloaded in those particular shops with strict monitoring to ensure that the commodity is not smuggled to DRC.

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The United Party for National Development UPND