Government has called on civil servants in Muchinga Province to find ways of improving crop production in the region, in view of the Presidential directive of increasing both the production and productivity of maize and soya beans.
Muchinga Province Minister Henry Sikazwe, says drought has had a negative impact on most sectors of the economy, especially the agriculture, water and energy hence the need for collaborative efforts to avert the challenge.
Mr Sikazwe notes that the drought situation has also affected the livelihoods of people adding that food security has been threatened.
ZANIS reports that the Minister said this through the Provincial Permanent Secretary Henry Mukungule, during the third quarter Provincial Development Coordinating Committee (PDCC) meeting held at Chinsali Municipal Council this morning.
“Our water levels are low and our electricity generation is at its lowest, resulting in long hours of load shedding to completely no power for days in some parts of the country,” he said.
Mr Sikazwe further stated that the revenue base of the country has also not been spared as many industries are not operating at full capacity hence contributing less to the treasury in terms of taxes.
He said due to the reduced revenue base of the country, the treasury is therefore unable to continue releasing funds to spending agencies for the implementation of government programs and projects as planned for in the year 2024.
“This however, should not be the reason for us to underperform or report nothing during meetings such as this one being held today,” he stated.
Mr Sikazwe charged that despite the fiscal challenges being experienced, the treasury has however endeavored to release some funds to departments especially during the month of September.
He further called on government departments to use the little resources being made available prudently in a bid to achieve more with less.
And the Provincial Minister further informed PDCC members that the Management and Development Division (MDD) approved the Provincial Strategic Plan for the Provincial Administration.
“This is a key document that we should all refer to as we carry out our day to day activities, the document was developed with wider consultation from all the stakeholders and it is a blue print that should shape the development of our region,” Mr Sikazwe added.
He further urged the planning unit in the province to circulate soft copies of the document to all the stakeholders so that those that may not have a copy may have one.
Later during the day, departments will give reports on various activities undertaken in the third quarter of 2024 in their respective departments.
