State produces over 200,000 face masks

GOVERNMENT has produced about 210, 200 face masks for school pupils in examination classes out of the total target of four million since production started on May 21, 2020. The face masks are being produced at the Zambia China Mulungushi Textiles Joint Ventures and Mukobeko Maximum Correctional Facility in Central Province. Provincial minister, Sydney Mushanga who checked on the production yesterday said the two facilities were equal to the task as seen from progress made so far. Mr Mushanga said Mulungushi Textiles had so far produced 200, 000 faces masks out of the targeted 2.5 million with a target of about 6 000 per day. Mukukobeko Maximum Correctional Facility has produced 10, 200 as of yesterday with a total target of one million face masks before schools open on June 1, 2020. “From the tour to see how prepared we are, I can safely say we are ready, progress has been seen since the beginning of production,” said Mr Mushanga. The minister said President Edgar Lungu and his administration has since the outbreak of the coronavirus been committed to preventing its spread as evidenced by the production of face masks for the school pupils. And Zambia Correctional Service senior assistant commissioner who is acting director for correctional industries, Moses Chipokolo assured the minister that the service was equal to the task and would meet the 1million target. Commissioner Chipokolo said the inmates and other tailors trained from the community had been working throughout to meet the target. “We are equal to the task and will meet the target of one million before schools open because we are working through out.