Maravi

(ZIMPAPERS) Biti clashes with GMB management

Biti clashes with GMB management
Saturday, 08 October 2011 22:36 Agriculture
By Tafadzwa Chiremba

FINANCE Minister Mr Tendai Biti has clashed with Grain Marketing Board management after he alleged that huge stocks of maize were piling up at the parastatal’s depots because millers were shunning its highly priced grain in favour of imports.

Last week, Mr Biti told the House of Assembly that the GMB grain selling price of US$325 per tonne was comparatively higher than the US$190 that other regional countries were charging. He alleged some businesspeople were also selling imported maize to the grain procurer. However, GMB general manager Mr Albert Mandizha dismissed the minister’s assertions.

He said mechanisms were in place to ensure imported grain is not sold to his institution.

Mr Biti said: “The region has got surplus. What is happening is that one can buy maize from Malawi or anywhere (else) for between US$175 and US$190.

“So, now unscrupulous businesspeople are importing maize from neighbouring countries such that, as I speak today, Malawi and Zambia have supplied in this country 144 000 metric tonnes of maize.

“Realising the problem, we do not have a mechanism of preventing cheap imported maize going to GMB.

“As Government, we need to revisit our systems. The second problem is that when our millers go to the GMB to buy maize, GMB is selling maize at US$325 per tonne.

“So, you will be made to buy maize at US$325 per tonne when you can import it at US$190.

“GMB is now sitting on huge maize stocks which it cannot sell to anyone, yet the Government is just buying and buying.”

Mr Mandizha hit back yesterday saying the allegations should have supporting evidence.

He said the GMB was working to maintain national strategic grain reserves at an optimum level.

“First, we need to understand that the country keeps a strategic reserve of about 500 000 metric tonnes,” he said.

“We are still to reach that target since we are around 400 000 metric tonnes. How then can we push maize out to millers when we have not yet reached the target?”

Mr Mandizha said his institution was still purchasing maize, adding that millers were free to import.

“It is very easy for someone to say things, but what is more important is to tell us which depot is buying imported maize.

“We have mechanisms in place to ensure only locally-produced maize finds its way to the GMB.

“Our production managers at various depots have a database of maize produced in areas within their jurisdiction.

“We need information that holds water. We are willing to investigate if information is availed.”

- The Sunday Mail

Labels: GRAIN MARKETING BOARD ZIMBABWE, TENDAI BITI

posted by MrK @ 4:22 PM