.YALUMA

By MAIMBOLWA MULIKELELA –

THE Millers Association of Zambia (MAZ) is today expected to meet and discuss the possibility of adjusting mealie-meal prices following a reduction in fuel prices by the Energy Regulation Board (ERB).
MAZ president Allan Sakala said his association would meet either today or tomorrow to discuss the way forward as regards the mealie-meal prices.
“As you know the fuel prices were only adjusted last week by the Government and we are yet to consult with our members on Wednesday or Thursday,” Mr Sakala said.
Mr Sakala said in an interview in Lusaka yesterday that after the meeting, the millers would be able to come up with a decision on whether to reduce the mealie-meal.
Last week, the Government through ERB reduced the pump price of petroleum products by K2.29 for petrol and K2.59 for diesel representing 23.13 and 28.22 per cent respectively.
Mines, Energy and Water Development Minister Christopher Yaluma said the Government had a genuine interest in lowering the price of fuel hence the initiative to seek government-to-government contracts that were envisaged to significantly reduce the cost of petroleum feedstock that Zambia imports.
The pump price reductions being announced were a reflection of the responsiveness to the voice of the Zambian people and the Government’s interest in having lower pump prices.
The benefit of the continued drop in international oil prices was now being realised in the form of the substantial wholesale and pump price adjustments.