ALLOCATION OF MAIZE TO LUSAKA WILL AVERT HUNGER – KAMALATA

By Kalobwe Bwalya

THE allocation of 2,632 metric tonnes of relief white maize to Lusaka Province is a game changer as it is aimed at averting the hunger situation in the country, Lusaka province permanent secretary Robert Kamalata has said.

Recently, the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) allocated 2,632 metric tonnes of relief white maize to Lusaka Province,

Mr. Kamalata said the relief maize was intended for all the six districts which is Rufunsa, Chongwe, Chilanga, Kafue, Chirundu and Lusaka in the province and that the distribution of the relief would soon commence.

Mr. Kamalata who was speaking in Lusaka when he officially opened a virtual provincial disaster management committee meeting, explained that the relief maize was intended for vulnerable communities.

He explained that the move was in response to President Hakainde Hichilema’s measures which include channeling more resources towards humanitarian relief purposes.

He added that Lusaka Province was actively embarking on the coordination of various drought response activities, projects and programmes in sectors including agriculture, water resource development and health among others.

In February this year, the Head of State declared the drought that affected the 2023/2024 agricultural season a national disaster and emergency.

“Lusaka Province is actively embarking on the coordination of various drought response activities, projects and programmes in sectors including agriculture, water resource development and health among others following the dry spells that has since affected the country, therefore the relief maize is intended for vulnerable communities in six districts which are in the province,” Mr. Kamalata said.

And Mr. Kamalata stated that President Hichilema was extremely concerned about the high levels of poverty in the country especially among the rural populace.

He said the Government was working on ways that would enable people, especially in rural areas, to move out of extreme poverty by venturing into agriculture.

The Permanent Secretary however called on traditional leaders to help the Government address effects of climate change by advising their subjects to stop the indiscriminate cutting down of trees.

“My appeal to traditional leaders is that they should advise their subjects to stop the indiscriminate cutting down of trees to burn charcoal which has contributed to the dry spells that the country is experiencing now, “he said.