MAIZE MEAL PUZZLE

IDO not understand why the government through Zambia National Service should be buying, transporting and selling maize meal from South Africa to DR Congo.

Should this not be the preserve of the private sector, if indeed, the Congolese are unable to import on their own. I doubt very much that the Congolese who are able to mine more copper and cobalt than us can fail to order mealie meal from South Africa.

Why should it be our ZNS to transport mealie meal from South Africa to Congo?

Can somebody explain this.

I ask these questions because the government has done a very poor job of explaining the current maize crisis in which the ZNS appears to be playing centre-stage.

It is common knowledge that ZNS is not meant for mealie meal trading and yet it is now playing that very central role, excluding the private sector which has sustained this country for decades.

What I find most puzzling is how ZNS which has a very limited number of mills is expected to play a central role to the exclusion of private millers who have served as traditional millers for the nation.

I am not surprised that shortages are being reported around the country because ZNS does not have the capacity to supply the country both in terms of milling capacity as well as transportation capacity for any maize meal imported from South Africa and any other sources.

It is common knowledge that this government sold all the maize stocks left by the previous administration but what is not clear is how the resultant deficit has been dealt with given that the only source of local supply of maize is the FRA, which seems to have instructions to supply to ZNS or milling firms authorised by ZNS.

My question is: to what extent have the private millers been consulted in implementing the drastic maize logistics in the country which have witnessed unprecedented shortages, smuggling and all manner of irregularities including the reported supply of GMO maize.

The suggestion that GMO maize mill is only allowed through the country in transit to Congo is not acceptable because both the local and export bags are labelled as Eagle. It is common knowledge also that maize from South Africa is packed as Eagle product.

Late last year, maize destined for DR Congo was found selling in shops in Lusaka.