The Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) Director General, Muwe Mungule has said that the Commission last year funded two milling plants in Mwinilunga district to enhance their operations and scale-up mealie meal production.
Dr Mungule, who expressed happiness with the prudent utilisation of the loan facility, said the fund was under the trade finance component for the two facilities to acquire raw materials.
ZANIS reports that speaking when he toured the Chisaka and Nkaabu milling plants in Mwinilunga district of North Western Province, Dr Mungule observed that the initiative has since resulted in the availability of mealie -meal in the area.
He explained that the funds were disbursed to the two milling plants to enable them buy raw materials such as maize to sustain the plants’ operations aimed at promoting steady prices of the staple food.
The Director General underscored CEEC’s continued commitment to improving the availability of mealie- meal in the district and the entire North Western Province region by empowering entrepreneurs with working capital.
“One of the projects that the Commission funded is Nkaabu and Chisaka milling plants in Mwinilunga, they are a wonderful project and a success Story that CEEC is associated with,” he said.
Dr Mungule, however, bemoaned the challenge of loadshedding the Milling plants are grappling with, culminating in reduced production, saying that the problem needs to be addressed urgently.
He said currently, Nkaabu milling is supplying to the district which has a huge demand for mealie meal and that Chisaka milling plant is able to take its stock to other Districts such as Kalumbila and Ikelenge among others.
Dr Mungule also disclosed that Nkaabu milling plant is paying back the loan and that it is up to date, a move which he described as important to the sustainability of the Commission.
He further mentioned that the two milling plants are strategically located, especially when the Lobito Corridor starts its operations, the two facilities are expected to reap more.
He promised the Commission’s continued funding to the two milling plants for them to operate at optimal level to promote food security in the area.
And Dr Mungule disclosed that the Commission is desirous to establish milling plants across the country to address the mealie meal prices.
Chisaka milling plant Entrepreneur, Maseka Makosa said he got funding from CEEC to help run the plant after having faced challenges with working capital to purchase maize.
He explained that CEEC came in to help with operational capital which has impacted the plant’s sustainability, thereby resulting in employing more workers.
Mr Makosa also disclosed that his milling plant has partnered with Zambia National Service (ZNS) to produce eagle- mealie meal on their behalf.
Nkaabu milling plant Director, Henry Ntambu also commended CEEC for the provision of a loan facility which has streamlined the operations of the plant.
He said the plant used to face a challenge of getting raw materials such as maize to produce meal meal, hence applying for funds from CEEC, noting that the funds have enhanced the working capital for the firm.
