(LUSAKA TIMES) Levy Castigates Lavish FRA
Levy Castigates Lavish FRAPosted on May 19th, 2008
-President Mwanawasa has lashed out at the Food Reserve Agency-FRA’s failure to stand on its own despite government subsidies. President Mwanawasa warned that if the FRA fails this year to demonstrate that the money pumped into the agency is growing, the government will have no option but to scrap off the agency.
Dr. Mwanawasa wondered why the FRA collects produce from farmers, sells the produce and on top of that gets government subsidy but still fails to stand on its own financially let alone pay farmers for their produce.
Dr. Mwanawasa said this in Vubwi constituency in Chadiza district in Eastern province today when he addressed a public rally. He pointed out that it was saddening that FRA promptly gives hefty salaries to its staff at the expense of paying farmers.
“ Why is it that salaries for FRA staff are more than what other government workers are getting. FRA pays its workers lavishly. Government expects FRA this year to pay the difference and not to get back to government to ask for subsidy,” said President Mwanawasa.
“Where do you take the money. FRA you get paid promptly and so hefty, we break our backs as government for the people of Zambia not that a few like yourselves should benefit, why can’t you pay the farmers first before you pay salaries to your staff,” asked Dr. Mwanawasa.
President Mwanawasa further directly the FRA to maintain the current number of satellite depots around the country to enable farmers sell their produce at accessible points as apposed to the agency’s intention to reduce the number of depots on account of financial hardships.
The President noted that reducing the number of satellite depots would contradict government’s efforts to promote agriculture in the country. He noted that government will continue supporting agriculture and urged the private sector to fully get involved in the market of agriculture products.
Dr Mwanawasa noted that agricultural produce marketing should not be left to government alone but warned the private sector against stealing from farmers. The president also announced that government has decided to continue with the Fertiliser Support programme, FSP, in order to boost food production.
Dr Mwanawasa explained that government will in fact increase fertilizer supply to farmers around the country.
And Dr. Mwanawasa has expressed happiness at the completion of phase one of the construction of Chadiza hospital at a cost of K1.7 billion.
He said the second phase of the project will be embarked on soon at the total cost of K3.2 billion saying he is proud that the people of Chadiza will now access quality health care services close to them.
The president however pointed out that there was need for the ministry of health to ensure that hospitals are fully stocked with drugs saying it will be meaningless for government to build hospitals that have no drugs.
Dr Mwaanwasa said government was also working hard to improve the road and other social and economic infrastructure in Chadiza and the country at large.
Meanwhile, president Mwanawasa has appealed to civil servants working in rural areas to help government provide adequate and efficient services despite the hardships they face.
He noted that government appreciates the important contribution civil servants working in rural areas are making saying they should not despair as government was working hard to improve their services there.
At the same rally, President Mwanawasa paid tribute to the MMD party officials in Eastern province for their efforts to develop the nation.
He however called for continued commitment and hard work among party if the party and the nation was to further embrace development.
And speaking when he met the four chiefs from Chadiza district, President Mwanawasa said government was in the process of creating more constituencies to enable all Zambians fully participate in the political activities of the country.
He said the request by the traditional leaders to have Vubwi subdivided into more constituencies is a sure sign of the zeal by the people to get involved in the political activities in the country.
He however warned against having multiple constituencies that fail to enhance full political participation by the electorate.
And Dr. Mwanawasa said government regrets that a number of chiefs were applying for loans to buy small cars instead of buying bigger vehicles or tractors that will be of benefit to the chiefs themselves and their subjects.
He however said he was happy that some chiefs have applied for tractors a thing he said is very much welcome and wise in that it will bring more returns to the chiefs.
And Home Affairs Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha told the chiefs that his office was working in collaboration with the Malawian and Mozambican officials to resolve the land disputes.
He was responding to the four traditional leaders who expressed concern at the continued land disputes between Zambia and its neighbours Malawi and Mozambique.
Earlier at the rally, Vubwi Member of Parliament Eustakio Kazonga paid tribute to President Levy Mwanawasa for visiting the constituency.
Dr. Kazonga said President Mwanawasa was the first head of state to visit Vubwi since independence in 1964.
The Mp said the people of Vubwi were extremely delighted by the President’s visit which he said showed how much love and care the President has for them.
The President received a number of gifts from the people of Vubwi among them a bull, two goats, chickens and several other items.
The President was accompanied by Finance Minister Ng’andu Mgande, Home Affairs Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha, Works and Supply Minister Kapembwa Simbao, Transport and Communication Minister Dora Siliya, Sceince and Technology Minister Peter Daka, MMD National Chairman Michael Mabenga, some deputy Ministers and Senior MMD and government officials.
The President has since left Chadiza for Chipata enroute to Chama where he is tomorrow expected to commission the Chama inter-connector electricity project with his Malawian counterpart Bingu Mutharika.
Labels: CORRUPTION, FRA, MWANAWASA
posted by MrK @ 5:36 AM
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