Maravi

(LUSAKATIMES) UPND president Hakainde Hichilema

UPND president Hakainde Hichilema
Opposition United Party for National Development (UPND)

President, Hakainde Hichilema has welcomed the donation of 9,000 metric tonnes of white maize by government to the Zimbabwean government.

Mr. Hichilema told ZANIS in Mazabuka in an interview that there was nothing wrong for government in donating food to Zimbabwe considering the serious economical problems that country was going through.

He however advised government to seriously address the acute food shortages affecting most parts of the country including Mazabuka before extending a hand to its neighbours.

Mr. Hichilema said it would not make sense for the government to ignore the plight of the starving Zambians.

Government on Friday donated 9000 metric tones of white Maize to Zimbabwe as part of Zambia’s pledge to assisting Zimbabwe over come its economic problems.

The donation is in line with the agreement by Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) leaders in Swaziland to contribution towards that country’s $ US 10 billion economic recovery plan.

And Mr. Hichilema has challenged the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to quickly announce the floor price of maize to protect farmers from being cheated by bogus maize traders.

Mr. Hichilema said the delay to announce the floor price is frustrating to the efforts of farmers.

He told ZANIS in Mazabuka government is to blame for the current low prices farmers were selling the commodity because the floor price is suppose to be announced before planting season.

Mr Hichilema said also urged government to fix a price that would be profitable to the farmers.

ZANIS/HC/MKM/ENDS

Labels: HAKAINDE HICHILEMA, HUNGER, MAIZE, MAZABUKA DISTRICT, UPND, ZIMBABWE

posted by MrK @ 2:05 AM