Government suspends export of maize till food security is verified

Bob Sichinga

Government has suspended the export of maize and maize products until the status of the food security within the country has been verified, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Robert Sichinga has said.

Mr Sichinga announced the ban yesterday and said that all export permits issued by the Ministry of Agriculture for maize and maize products including mealie meal have been revoked with immediate effect.

Mr Sichinga said investigation conducted within the Ministry and by the Police had indicated that there were weaknesses and questionable procedures being practiced in the Ministry over the issuance of export licenses.

“Following a number of concerns on the national food security situation that have been raised by various stakeholders, I wish to announce that it is clear from the investigations carried out so far by police and within my Ministry that there are weaknesses and questionable procedures being practiced in this Ministry over issuance of export licenses, arising from the forgoing, I have decided to suspend export of maize and maize products with immediate effect” he said.

He said further investigation had been instituted to get to the root cause and warned that any officer who would be found wanting will be dealt with according to the findings on the offense committed.
Mr Sichinga however said traders who have already loaded trucks in readiness for export will be allowed to complete their transaction upon verification by officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.

Mr Sichinga assured that Government to Government exports to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Tanzania and Zimbabwe would not be affected by the ban.


Courtesy of http://www.lusakatimes.com