Ministry of Information and Media Permanent Secretary, Thabo Kawana, says it is every citizen’s responsibility to address the current drought crisis in the country.
Mr. Kawana has urged Zambians to not rely only on international assistance but also to contribute relief efforts whenever possible.
Speaking during a media briefing in Lusaka today, Mr. Kawana has also reiterated government’s position regarding the transportation of 4,000 metric tons of maize from Tanzania by First Quantum Mine (FQM) to Northwestern Province of Zambia.
Mr. Kawana said government has not contracted FQM for the task, rather, the mining company offered to transport the maize at its own expense.
“The maize sitting in Tanzania is over 500,000 metric tons purchased by government through Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU)and that government has not given FQM contract to transport the maize”, said Mr. Kawana.
Mr. Kawana commended FQM for the gesture, saying it would have cost government $500,000 to transport the commodity.
He has further appealed to other corporate entities to follow FQM’s example and collaborate with government through DMMU to ensure that relief food reaches all the districts affected by drought.
By Margaret Mwanza
