The government says it is amending the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) act to address among others, issues surrounding the export of maize.

Vice President Inonge Wina who was speaking in Chipata when she held a meeting with the Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZCCI) said the current restrictions on maize export is not meant to punish farmers, but an effort to safeguard lives by ensuring there is enough food in strategic reserves.

She disclosed that the government fed up to 2.7 million disaster victims in 2018/19 and part of 2020.

Ms Wina was responding to concerns raised by Chipata District Farmers Union Chairman Vigil Malambo who said the government should allow farmers to export maize especially in instances where FRA fails to give a competitive price.

He said the current situation is not benefitting anyone as farmers have opted to smuggle the commodity.

“Government should consider giving export licenses to traders who will be paying tax to allow them sell the grain anywhere, this way everyone will benefit”, he said.

In her response, the Vice President said the act has been tabled to parliament with the view of amending it to maybe consider giving export permits.

“Government is working with the FRA act to see how best this can be done so that hopefully, changes can be made with regards to exports in the next marketing season”, Ms Wina explained.

She further said government targets to reserve 1 million tonnes of maize every year but has had a challenge with grain marketers who rush into buying the grain even before the moisture content adequately drops.

She said some of the people who buy maize are foreigners who sometimes follow farmers in their respective fields to buy the grain.

“Because of this trend, FRA finds limited stocks by the time it starts buying. This is why government is forced to put in these restrictions, to ensure there is enough good to respond to unforeseen situations” she noted.

The Vice President used the platform to thank the Chamber for the role it has been playing in safeguarding business and being a key development partner.

And Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZCCI) Vice President Laurian Haangala appealed to government to encourage companies it deals with to register with ZCCI as a way of getting assurance that such companies are genuine.

Mr Haangala noted that ensuring that companies register with the chamber will also give confidence to foreign investors.

“It is important that business companies belong to the Chamber, this will rule out uncertainties on the genuineness of such companies. And government is key in ensuring this is attained”, he said.

The chamber also tackled among others, the effects of covid- 19 on business in the region saying business has been negatively affected imploring government to make it easy for local companies to seek redress.

Zambia Police has said that calls by the United Party for National Development (UPND) officials, calling for people will be tantamount to unlawful assembly or conducting an illegal procession that is against the law.

In a statement released to the media by Zambia Police Spokesperson Esther Katongo, Zambia Police advised the people wishing to do so not to proceed with their plan.

“There is no need for sympathisers , in this regard, to come into conflict with the law. As per our mandate of maintaining law and order in the country, we will be at hand to do just that,” Mrs Katongo said.

“We therefore advise all those planning to travel to Muchinga Province for the above mentioned reason to rescind their decision,”

Mrs Katongo further said that it is not true that the opposition UPND leader, Mr Hakainde Hichilema is among those summoned.

Movement for Democratic Change MDC President Felix Mutati has called on the church in Zambia to preach peace and unity, especially that the 2021 general elections are fast approaching.

Mr Mutati who took part in the day of national prayer, fasting and reconciliation at St John’s UCZ congregation in Kabwe observed that the country is sliding towards the crossroads and eroding the fundamentals as well as the vision enshrined in the national anthem of togetherness.

He attended the church service at the invitation of renowned lawyer Kelvin Bwalya Fube KBF and was also joined by opposition Democratic Party President Harry Kalaba.

“Our conversation must be about preaching the unity in diversity, preaching peace and preaching reconciliation. As a nation, we have many challenges and sometimes have a feeling that we are sliding towards the crossroads, eroding the fundamentals and our vision that is enshrined in the national anthem of ‘Ubuntu’ oneness.” He said.

Mr Mutati said the day of national prayer, fasting and reconciliation is of great significance hence the need for the church to focus on preaching unity in diversity, peace and reconciliation beyond 18th October only.

Mr Mutati said people also need to utilize the day to reconcile and heal wounds that they might have inflicted on each other.

He further called on the people to pray for politicians who are bound to error because the responsibility of what those in politics do lies in the same people.

And Mr Mutati called on Zambians to choose leaders wisely as the elections approach because as voters, they hold the power to elect credible leaders that will drive the country towards achieving its developmental aspirations.

“We ask you to choose leaders wisely because you are the ones that hold the power to elect anyone, we do not have that power as politicians” Mr Mutati said.

This is according to a statement issued by MDC Deputy Media Director Edmond Mbanga Miti.

President Edgar Lungu and First Lady Esther Lungu today joined hundreds of Lusaka residents to commemorate the National Day of Prayer, Fasting, Repentance and Reconciliation which falls every year on October 18 at Lusaka showgrounds.

In attendance were various members of the Clergy, who led the programme in intercessory prayers, leaders of opposition political parties and members of the general public.

The event was characterised by songs of praise and worship done by different choir groups and prayers with the homily conducted by Father Lastone Lupupa of the Catholic Church.

This year’s theme for recognizing the Day was dubbed Zambia Seeks God’s Intervention for Sustained National Unity, Peace and Prosperity.

National Day of Prayer Organising Committee Chairperson, Joshua Banda noted that the theme in itself partially defines the purpose of today’s gathering.

Bishop Banda advised on the need to pray for sustained unity, peace and prosperity while the nation observe the day as the main key areas of seeking God’s intervention.

“In light of the fact that from time to time we as a people by our ingratitude to God and our insensitivity to one another, turn to weaken ourselves in the noble quest and commitment to celebrate our unity in our merging diversity we have been indulged with. As a result, we find ourselves sometimes quarreling and even trading insults and we have regrettably even resorted to violence especially during election intervals,” he stated.

The Bishop said the day hence gives an opportunity for all Zambians to confess all the faults to one another as the nation turns to God in fasting and repentance with a determination to reconcile.

And Bishop Banda further noted that the second facet of the theme mentions peace which defines the other purpose of today’s gathering.

“Peace is a rare commodity that God has blessed Zambia with. Our gathering together therefore, from all walks of life setting aside any differences is an indication of our determination to call upon God for help to sustain the peace and harmony that we badly need,” the Bishop indicated.

He added that the country also need to seek God’s intervention in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic that Zambia like any other country has been battling with over the last few months.

Bishop Billy Mfula of Jesus anointed Ministries prayed for peace, unity and prosperity and urged political leaders and national leaders to take advantage of their positions to promote peace and unity in the country.

Other Clergy who participated in intercessory prayers were Bishop David Masupa, President of the Independent Churches of Zambia who rendered a thanksgiving prayer for everything God has done in the nation.

Bishop Edgar Ng’ambi of Praise Christian Centre International and Bishop Sydney Sichilima, Synod Bishop of the United Church of Zambia prayed for confession and National repentance and the rededication of the nation to God respectively, among others.