Maravi

More nonsense from Rupiah

More nonsense from Rupiah
Written by Editor

In May 2002 when Zambia experienced hunger in most parts of the country, the World Food Programme (WFP) donated genetically modified maize to Zambia for relief. However, the then president Levy Mwanawasa, on the strength of professional advice, rejected the offer.

Levy said the whole world was aware that the implications of modern biotechnology products, such as genetic engineering, on human beings and animal health as well as the environment are not yet fully understood. He said the Zambian government would rather be cautious and not venture into the unknown by accepting genetically modified maize. He didn’t want to risk Zambians.

Actually, Levy declared the food shortage a national disaster in May 2002 when he said up to four million people faced starvation. In July, he assured Zambians that the country would not accept genetically modified maize until it had determined whether it was safe for human consumption. In the meantime, the government was looking to other sources of non-GM maize and financial resources to purchase the commodity.

In August 2002 and after a protracted debate over the safety of the genetically modified maize, the then chief government spokesperson Newstead Zimba, announced that the government had decided to reject a donation of genetically modified maize. This was after the WFP asked the government to quickly decide whether or not to accept the genetically modified food, saying a shipment destined for Zambia could be sent to other hungry destinations.

Announcing the government’s position, Newstead said government would not allow importation of genetically modified maize despite the food shortage and hunger in the country. He said all genetically modified foods, including the maize grain already in the country, should not and would not be consumed or distributed.

"We wish to inform the nation that as a government, we have taken into consideration the scientific advice about the long-term effects of the [genetically modified foods] and all related grains, and we are rejecting it," said Newstead.

When the WFP said genetically modified foods had been part of aid shipments to Zambia since 1996, the then agriculture minister Mundia Sikata accused donor nations of deceiving Zambia for seven years.

Throughout his presidency, Levy repeated the government’s stance on genetically modified organisms. His government even mobilised funds, in conjunction with the Norwegian government, to open the National Biotechnology Laboratory in Chilanga in 2007. Among other functions, this laboratory is used to detect GMOs in seeds and other foodstuff.

Last year, the Auditor General’s report revealed that the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) had in 2006 wasted over K23.6 billion when it purchased genetically motivated maize contrary to presidential directives.

"Contrary to the 2006 presidential directive on the importation of genetically modified maize, the agency in the same year imported, paid and received 3,000 metric tonnes of maize from Nyiombo valued at K3,689,647,200 (US$1,080,000) and 16, 000 metric tonnes of maize from Louis Dreyfus valued at K20,006,087,040 (US$5,856,000)," the report stated. "In addition, 6,000 by 50 kilogramme bags of GMO maize were delivered and received in Mkushi in May 2006. It was further observed that management gave Louis Dreyfus Limited a second contract without consulting the board for the supply of 12,000 metric tonnes of maize instead of buying cheaper maize which was to be ready at the end of March, 2006."

This was Zambia’s position as far as GM maize is concerned. There has been no policy shift or change. No one has complained or urged the government to review its position on GM maize.

It is therefore difficult to understand why Rupiah Banda is inviting Zambians to re-open debate on genetically modified maize when Zambians actively debated this issue in 2002 and put it to rest with consensus that genetically modified organisms should not be consumed in Zambia.

However, we would like to take note of the fact that about two weeks ago, FRA was supplied with almost 35,000 metric tones of genetically modified maize which they rejected and allegedly sent back to South Africa for not complying with Zambia’s policy on such grains. It was said that one of the suppliers has connections with Rupiah’s son, James. However, FRA board chairman Costain Chilala the other day said they were not aware at the time of awarding the contract that James was connected to one of the suppliers.

And when he was on Monday asked to comment on the mealie-meal shortages in the country and the genetically modified maize that was supplied to FRA, Rupiah only commented on the genetically modified maize. Among other things, Rupiah invited Zambians to re-open the debate on possible consumption of genetically modified maize meal as the case is in some countries. He said the government would determine whether the genetically modified maize should be milled at the border post or returned to South Africa. However, Rupiah cautioned Zambians to be wary of the devastating effects of genetically modified organisms on seed banks.

The question is: what is motivating Rupiah to re-open this debate on GMOs? What has changed to the reasons that government took into consideration when it arrived at the decision to ban GMOs?

Rupiah was Levy’s vice-president for two years. During this time, he made no suggestions as to why government needed to re-look at its policy on GMOs. And it was actually this same Rupiah who was in charge of relief food in the country. But he never raised this issue. Why is he saying all these things today? Is it to defend the business interests of those close or connected to him? Just because these people have imported genetically modified maize into the country then government policy must be changed to suit them?

Is this the way to manage public affairs? Is this way government policies are changed? Surely, is this the way to run a country?

This is what happens in a country when values are lost. This is what happens to a nation when corruption takes it over and reigns.

We are not saying government policies shouldn’t be subjected to review. But why should it take the importation of genetically modified maize by a John or James Banda for the government to change its policy and allow genetically modified maize to be brought into the country or milled at the border as it is being suggested by Rupiah? And which miller is at the border to handle such a high tonnage of genetically modified maize and turn it into mealie-meal? And which border is Rupiah talking about? Is it Sesheke, Kazungula, Livingstone or Chirundu? This is more nonsense, real nonsense from Rupiah.

But again, this is what happens when personal interest blinds people – they fail to see reality and start talking nonsense.

Labels: GMO, MAIZE, RUPIAH BANDA

posted by MrK @ 10:04 AM