‘NO ARTIFICIAL MEALIE-MEAL PRICE HIKES, WARNS LUNGU

He said this at the groundbreaking ceremony of the China Aided Project of Milling Plants in Zambia, under the Presidential Milling Plants Initiative in Chongwe district yesterday.

President Lungu said the Presidential Milling Plants Initiative was part of the efforts to reduce prices of maize products, improve lives of people and ensure economic development.

He observed that people in rural areas were the most hit by high prices of commodities, saying that the situation needed to change.

President Lungu reiterated that the milling plants would not only trigger stabilisation in prices of maize products but also create jobs which would ensure skills transfer.

He expressed happiness that the milling plants would also provide a market for farmers in rural areas and beat the long distances they have been subjected to for a long time to sell their produce.

Mr Lungu assured that the milling plants were being distributed equitably, pointing out that Western,

Southern and Northern provinces among others were beneficiaries.

He thanked China for being an all-weather friend in development, saying that it was comforting.

“Government is resolved to addressing high Mealie Meal prices, we are watching those exploiting and taking advantage to exaggerate prices,” he said.

And Chinese ambassador, Mr. Li Jie observed that the Zambia/China ties had

continued to yield benefits.

The ambassador said the project signified Zambia’s strengthened relationship with China as food prices in the country would be stabilised. Mr Jie said China would always remain indebted to Zambia for the support it had received for the past 55 years.

Meanwhile, Senior Chieftainess Nkomeshya Mukamambo thanked President Lungu for extending development to Chongwe.

And Minister of Higher Education, Professor Nkandu Luo described the project as a great milestone.

“The construction of these milling plants will provide a training ground for our students at UNZA and Kapasa Makasa University. The plant in Mpika will be used for attachment of students at Kapasa Makasa University while the Chongwe and Monze plants will service UNZA.

“This project will enhance the research and entrepreneurial activities at the university,” Prof. Luo said.

Lusaka Province Minister Bowman Lusambo expressed happiness that the milling plant would create jobs for locals.

Mr Lusambo said the project attested President Lungu’s zeal to spread development to all parts of the country. He noted that the milling plants would benefit the nation as a whole.

And the contractor, Sinomach vice manager Yang Chianling assured that the project would be completed on time.