‘ZNS, ZCS need support on mealie meal price’
By Thandizo Banda
ADVOCATE for industrialisation and national development Cephas Musonda has advised President Hakainde Hichilema to use the Zambia National Service (ZNS) and Zambia Correctional Services (ZCS) to help him to fulfill his campaign promise on the price of mealie meal.
In 2021, Hichilema promised that under his government Zambians would be buying a 25kg bag of mealie meal at K50, which has not happened.
In an interview with The Mast, Musonda said the pledge to reduce the price could be achieved if the two government millers that ran state farms were fully supported.
“This venture is positive to industrialisation and national development through production and job creation, and it will make our staple food affordable to all Zambians,” he said.
Musonda expressed concern about the non-availability of the Eagle and Kalonga mealie meal brands produced by ZNS and ZCS on the market.
“I’m worried with the non-availability of the Zambia National Service and Zambia Correctional Services mealie meal brands on the market. I’m wondering what exactly is happening and why this initiative and industry is being allowed to die a natural death even after recording a bumper harvest,” he said.
Musonda said the two institutions could produce cheaper mealie meal that would strengthen the supply chain and force private millers to reduce prices further.
Musonda argued that ZNS and ZCS should focus on the local market and start producing now, even when other millers had enough stock, instead of waiting for a shortage.
“The time to come to the market is now when there are no shortages, to stabilise commodity access and price. I do not think a shortage will happen soon because of the projected bumper harvest,” Musonda said.
He appealed to Hichilema as the Commander-in-Chief to direct ZNS and ZCS to respond to the call by citizens for cheaper mealie meal.
