FISP scam unearthed

GOVERNMENT has unearthed a scam in which farming inputs under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) were allegedly stolen by some staff from the Ministry of Agricultural together with some cooperatives using fake names in Rufunsa.

Lusaka Province

Permanent Secretary Elias Kamanga visited Chinyunyu where more than 360 bags of fertiliser and seed have been stolen.

Mr Kamanga expressed disappointment at how the FISP has allegedly been abused by some agriculture staff and cooperative members.

Mr Kamanga noted that some officers have been arrested while the inputs have been impounded by security officers. He called on the Provincial Agriculture Coordinator (PACO) to deal with all the culprits involved as the FISP is aimed at uplifting the living standards of vulnerable households.

“It appears this is a well- planned scheme because I don’t think it is an isolated case. There’s need to take administrative action while the criminal procedures are going on,” he said.

Mr Kamanga called for the perpetrators to face the law and so as to end the practice

He noted that government was spending colossal sums of money to subsidise agriculture inputs for small scale farmers through the programme and described the scam as unfortunate that some people want to derail government efforts of empowering vulnerable households.

Meanwhile, newly installed Chief Shikabeta of the Soli people in Rufunsa has pledged to work with the government to foster development in his area.

Speaking when Mr Kamanga paid a courtesy call on him yesterday,

Chief Chikabeta expressed satisfaction with the developmental projects in his area. He also highlighted some challenges faced in the area such as the replacement of Mwateshi Bridge which was washed away last rainy season, a critical shortage of water and a shortage of human resource at health centres and schools

And in response Mr Kamanga promised to address some of the challenges faced in the chiefdom.

He disclosed that the Mwateshi Bridge was currently being worked on by the Road Development Agency and is expected to be complete before the onset of the rains. -ZANIS