Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Vice president Mutale Nalumango has disclosed that government owes farmers at least k1.6 billion for the maize they supplied to the food reserve agency.
Mrs. Nalumango says the farmers have not been paid yet because there is no money to clear the outstanding balances.
The vice president has however assured that even though the current budget does not provide funds for the farmers to be paid off, the new dawn government through the food reserve agency is looking for the money and those who are owed will be paid.
She has since appealed for patience among farmers as government looks for the money to pay them through export of purchased maize to neighboring countries such as the democratic republic of congo.
Mrs. Nalumango said this in parliament during the vice president’s question and answer session and in response to Chinsali Member of parliament’s question, on when government will settle the owed farmers.
Meanwhile Mrs. Nalumango has stated that the new dawn government has not failed with the FISP program.
Mrs. Nalumango says the distribution of framing inputs has seemingly delayed in some areas because government has been trying to address all the challenges and lacunas that marred the process.
She has however assured that the process is some areas is going on very well ,further assuring that the new dawn government will ensure that it implements the fisp program in an order and equitable manner across the county, without treating some regions in more special ways than others.
She was responding to Bwacha Member of Parliament, Sydney Mushanga who charged that the 2021/2022 framing season under the new dawn government is a total failure and a disaster.
And Mrs. Nalumango has stressed the need for the nation to heal from the injuries caused by the former patriotic front regime.
Responding to a question by Lunte Member of Parliament, who wanted to find out whether government is considering holding special national prayers for the rains, Mrs. Nalumango said that would be like mocking god and what needs to be done is for the country to health and move from the injuries caused by the pf.