DRC Mukula deal earns state K2m

OVER K2 million has been raised by the State through inspection and escort fees for trucks carrying Mukula logs transiting through Zambia from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

This is according to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources Status Report on the Harvest, Trade and Export of Mukula Tree Species for period ending December 2019.

According to the report, Government entered into a deal with DRC to transit 3, 400 forty-foot containers laden with Mukula logs for a period of six month effective December 28, 2018.

It indicates that Government issued another Statutory Instrument to extend the period to allow the transiting of Mukula logs from DRC up to June 28, this year.

The report states that the Zambian Government collected revenue through inspection and escort fees at a rate of K2, 400 and K2, 000 per container respectively.

It states that K2, 158, 600 was collected for the inspection and escort fees for 556 trucks.

“Due to the continued illegal timber activities, the Zambian Government issued Statutory

Instrument Number 31 of 2017, the Control of Goods (Import and Export)(Forest Produce) (Prohibition of Importation) Order 2017, which restricted the importation and including transiting of timber logs into Zambia,” the report reads in part.

The reports states that the Ministry later received a request from DRC to allow the transiting of Mukula logs through Zambia.

It states that the Ministry consulted other line Ministries on how to deal with the request taking into consideration the newly issued SI.

The report indicates that the Ministry of Justice provided legal advice and subsequently the SI Number 96 of 2018, which authorized the deal was issued.