Livestock project incurs K4m loses as Kwacha depreciates
ABOUT K4 million loss has been incurred on the K12.5 million project to construct Livestock Service Centres in all provinces following the devaluation of the Kwacha, Livestock and Fisheries minister, Nkandu Luo told President Lungu yesterday.
Meanwhile, a comprehensive assessment on all forests in Zambia will be done so that those that have been encroached are reclaimed, President Edgar Lungu has said.
This come to light when President Edgar Lungu visited the construction site of a Livestock Service Centre in Sioma yesterday.
Briefing the President on the project, Livestock and Fisheries minister, Nkandu Luo said works which had stalled had now resumed after Government sourced some funds.
Prof Luo said the project was delayed because of a K4 million loss which was incurred following the devaluation of the Kwacha.
She said the funds were given in Kwacha to the equivalent of the dollar by several development partners when the project started but that the devaluation of the Kwacha resulted in loss.
When questioned why the money had continued to come in kwacha, Prof Luo said engagements were underway with sponsor to provide the funds in dollars.
"Engagements are underway to receive the financial support towards this project in dollars," she said.
She said Government had also sourced funds locally so that the project could continue.
Prof Luo said the project included housing units for farmers, shelter for animals such as pigs, goats and chickens among others.
She said the project included pasture growing programmes for farmers.
And President Lungu said he was touring the country to see to it that small projects being carried out in districts did not stall.
He said small projects made a big contribution towards the uplifting of livelihoods.
And Sioma independent Member of Parliament Mborolwa Subulwa expressed happiness that the President had taken time to check on the project.
Ms Subulwa expressed confidence that with the visit by President Lungu, funds would be sourced to complete the project.
Meanwhile President Lungu has observed that most of the forests had been encroached and that illegal timber dealings had increased.
He said this during a meeting with indunas’ representative chief Lukama the 4th from the Barotse Royal Establishment of Kaungamashi in Sioma, following their request that Government would also look at the possibility of cancellating timber concessions and licenses so that a scrutiny of the forests could be done.
"I am happy that the request for us to cancel timber licenses came from you. If we just did on our own, there would have been talk. We will look into it, indeed illegal timber dealings have increased and forests have been encroached. We will do a complete assessment so that we can reclaim our forests," he said.
President Lungu said he was yet to receive a complete report from Lands and Natural Resources minister, Jean Kapata on her tour of Western province to check on forests.
He however said Ms Kapata already hinted to him that she wasn't happy with what she found on the ground.
And a representative of the traditional leaders, Induna Nasimona requested President Lungu to cancel concessions and licenses for timber.
The Induna said the levels of illegality in the timber subsector were worrying and risked depleting the forests.