Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Jack Mwiimbu says it is the government’s desire to ensure that the country is food secure, hence the plan to establish more milling plants in all the Provincial centres to help stabilise the price of the nation’s staple food.
Mr Mwiimbu said this in a speech read for him by Minister of Commerce, Trade and Industry, Chipoka Mulenga when World Vision Zambia handed over Amapalo milling plant to the Zambia Correctional Services (ZCS) in Mpika District in Muchinga Province.
Mr Mwimbu stated that the frantic efforts that the government is making are a clear testimony and demonstration of its resolve to address and mitigate the exorbitant mealie meal prices in the country.
He said taking over of Amapalo milling plant by the Zambia Correctional Services will serve as a model and benefit the local people through access to affordable mealie meal, Job creation, business value chain enhancement and skills transfer in Mpika district.
The Home Affairs and Internal Security Minister, stated that the new dawn government’s collaboration with World Vision Zambia on Amapalo project is evidence of the shared commitment to community development and economic empowerment.
“The takeover of this milling plant will harness the potential of agriculture and agribusiness, promoting a brighter future for the residents of Mpika and Muchinga Province at large,” he said.
Mr Mwiimbu is positive that the ZCS will leverage its existing structures and regulations to ensure transparency and compliance in utilising the 15 tonnes capacity plant.
The Minister further extended gratitude to World Vision Zambia for their partnership and further urged the ZCS to guard the facility jealously.
The 15-ton milling plant was procured and installed at a cost of K1,855,375.
Speaking when she handed over the milling plant, World Vision Zambia Acting National Director, Ngosa Sakala said the Amapalo milling plant was funded under Australian aid through World Vision Australia.
“This cost includes the construction of a milling plant, procurement of the plant equipment, electrification and provision of a full mechanised water system,” she said.
She said that an additional K1.4 million was also spent for the storage shed giving a total investment of K3,255,375.
Ms Sakala further appealed to the young people and Mpika residents to take advantage of the facility by producing more maize to supply the plant.
Speaking earlier, ZCS Deputy Commissioner General, Bwalya Kuyomba said the milling plant will go a long way in servicing the entire province and the surrounding region.
Gen Kuyomba further thanked World Vision for partnering with the ZCS to fulfil the aspirations of the service, adding that the plant will be a crucial source of cheaper mealie meal especially now that the country is faced with drought.
The ZCS Deputy Commissioner General further assured the Minister and World Vision Zambia that the facility will be guarded jealously as it will contribute to the food basket of the country.
Amapalo milling plant will be the second milling plant in Mpika district, in addition to the existing milling plant under the Zambia National Service (ZNS).
