Maravi

Recapitalise NCZ, ZNFU advises govt

COMMENT - If the state recapitalizes a parastatal, it should at least be accompanies by a resignation of management.

Recapitalise NCZ, ZNFU advises govt
By Chiwoyu Sinyangwe in Mongu
Thursday July 03, 2008 [04:00]

ZAMBIA National Farmers Union (ZNFU) first vice-president Jervis Zimba has advised the government to treat the recapitalisation of Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) seriously. Officiating at the Mongu District Farmers Association annual general meeting in Mongu on Tuesday, Zimba said the government should also allow NCZ to fully participate in the Fertiliser Support Programme (FSP) for it to revamp its operations.

"In November last year, honnourable (Ben) Kapita announced that the government would give NCZ K58 billion to revamp its operations.

Honourable Sara Sayifwanda is also talking about giving the company the same money but this time, that K20 billion is going towards paying retirees," said Zimba. "Is the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives (MACO) serious about revamping NCZ? And how do you conduct fertiliser supply in the country without including NCZ?"

And Zimba said the farmers union preferred the awarding of FSP contracts to more than four companies in order to spread the risk.
Last week, the Zambia National Tender Board awarded Nyiombo Investment and Omnia Small Scale the tender to distribute fertiliser under the FSP for the 2008/09 farming season after a successful bid.

"We don't have much problem with whichever companies that are awarded the contract to supply fertiliser but last farming season, these two same companies (Nyiombo Investment and Omnia Small Scale) held government at ransom for unpaid monies even when they know that government can never run away," said Zimba.
He said that ransom caused a disturbance in the distribution of fertiliser and farmers suffered.

“And should we have a similar problem this time around, government will be held accountable," said Zimba.

And Mongu district commissioner Ikanuke Noyoo said cattle farmers in Western Province had contributed to the animal diseases in the area.

He urged the livestock farmers to change their attitudes towards preventive measures to curb animal diseases in the area.

Labels: NCZ, PARASTATALS, ZNFU

posted by MrK @ 3:34 AM