Government warns millers against exporting mealie meal
Written by Millennium on January 30, 2023
Central Province Permanent Secretary, Milner Mwanakampwe, has cautioned millers in the province against exporting mealie meal without satisfying the local demand.
Mr Mwanakampwe warned that the government will not sell maize to milling companies whose pre-occupation was to service the foreign market at the expense of the local demand.
Speaking during a meeting with FVG Milling Company, Mr Mwanakampwe said it was important to work with the government to yield better profit margins.
He advised the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) to create strategic buffer zones of maize grain in Kabwe to cut on cost of transport and make the commodity readily available and affordable by the majority of people.
“At this stage we have to do everything possible to make sure that there is enough mealie meal in the province because we have plenty stocks of maize in the region,” Mr Mwanakampwe said.
He said millers should effectively and efficiently plan their transportation cycle to sustain production.
He pledged the government’s support to millers with demonstrated commitment to satisfy the local market at an affordable price.
And Kabwe District Commissioner Lennox Shimwambwa, advised FVG Milling Company to create a customer base and ensure it is always supplied to avoid artificial shortage of mealie meal.
And FVG Milling Company Head of Finance, Gopal Thakur, has assured the provincial administration that the company will not export their mealie meal because it has a mandate to serve local customers. – ZANIS
