Kantanshi Member of Parliament, Anthony Mumba, has called on the government to focus on repairing existing milling plants before investing in new ones.
His remarks came in response to Defence Minister Ambrose Lufuma’s announcement of plans to establish milling facilities in all 10 provinces of Zambia.
Mumba advised the government to reorganise and repair existing milling plants at the community level rather than directing taxpayer money toward new projects.
“Before investing more taxpayer money into 10 new milling plants, let them first repair and reorganize the existing ones,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
He highlighted the Solar Hammer Mill project, set to be commissioned in the Topshops area of Kantanshi on October 25, 2024, as an example.
Mumba expressed concern that the nationwide project, which cost the government US$280 million, could be wasted if the existing infrastructure was not properly maintained.
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As Kantanshi’s representative, Mumba revealed plans to apply to the Ministry of Commerce, Trade, and Industry to take over the abandoned milling project in his constituency.
He proposed using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to replace parts and revamp operations for the benefit of the local community.
Mumba stressed that investments aimed at supporting vulnerable communities should take priority, urging the government to ensure that projects were effective and functional before initiating new ones.
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