Maravi

Ululi criticises govt's failure to use W/Province's natural resources

Ululi criticises govt's failure to use W/Province's natural resources
By Nyambe Muyumbana in Mongu
Monday July 21, 2008 [04:00]

WESTERN Province agricultural and commercial show society chairman Ernest Ululi has blamed the government for not utilising the abundant natural resources in the province in order to alleviate poverty in the area. And an exhibitor at this year's Western Province agricultural show, Bernard Silumesi, said it was sad and embarrassing that a district commissioner officially opened the provincial agricultural show.

Meanwhile, some NGOs in Mongu declined to participate in this year's show, saying that the exhibition fee which was pegged at K250, 000 was too high.

Addressing the exhibitors and the public on Saturday, Ululi said that the people of Western Province would continue to be living in abject poverty because the government was not encouraging the utilisation of natural resources such as land and water available in the area which would enhance high agriculture production.

Ululi said if the government were to create a conducive and dynamic environment for farmers, agri-business would play a vital role in fostering economic growth for the province.

He said that the agriculture sector was supposed to be promoted so that its vulnerability to climate change and price of produce would be reduced.
Ululi also complained that the marketing of produce had remained to be a major problem among the small-scale farmers in the province.

And Silumesi said that exhibitors at the show were demanding an explanation from the office of the permanent secretary for failing to grace this year's show.
Silumesi said that he did not see any sense for the entire office which included the permanent secretary, his deputy and assistant secretary to fail to grace the show when they were aware that the provincial minister was out of town.

Labels: ERNEST ULULI, MONGU, WESTERN PROVINCE

posted by MrK @ 6:57 PM