Maravi

E/Province farming input transporters demand dues

E/Province farming input transporters demand dues
By Christopher Miti in Chipata
Mon 02 May 2011, 04:00 CAT

TRANSPORTERS of farming inputs under the Fertiliser Input Support Programme (FISP) in Eastern Province have complained about the government’s delay in paying them. The transporters from various districts of the province wondered why the government was delaying to pay them despite them having delivered the inputs four months ago.

One of the transporters who spoke on condition of anonymity said it was unfortunate that transporters in the province had not been paid while those from other provinces had already been paid.

“Some of the transporters have been to the provincial permanent secretary’s office to follow up the payment,” he said.

He appealed to the government to look into the matter and ensure that transporters were paid as soon as possible.

Eastern Province Provincial Agricultural Coordinator (PACO) Dr Obvious Kabinda said his office was aware that transporters had not been paid and that he was doing everything possible to ensure that they were paid.

“Some of the papers (containing details of the transportation process) had anomalies, so we sent them to our district offices to rectify those anomalies. Those without anomalies have been sent to Lusaka because as you know, transporters are paid from Lusaka,” Dr Kabinda said.

He said once the anomalies were rectified, the transporters would be paid.

“We don’t want to overpay or underpay any transporter but they will be paid. They just have to forgive us for taking long but we are going to pay them. You know, we have to make sure we do a good job because there are issues like auditing and the like,” said Dr Kabinda.

Labels: EASTERN PROVINCE, FISP, TRANSPORT

posted by MrK @ 11:50 AM