By CHATULA KAMPO –
GOVERNMENT has started the construction of a 10,000-tonne modern maize storage facility in Bwembelelo area in Mpongwe District.
The shed, being built by Appolo Construction Company, is expected to be completed in May this year.
Mpongwe District Commissioner George Nsali confirmed this in Ndola yesterday, saying the construction works started on Wednesday last week.
He said the maize storage facility was expected to store in excess of 200,000 by 50kg bags of maize.
Mr Nsali said he was happy that the storage facility was under construction and would go a long way in enhancing food security in his area.
He said the facility would curb maize wastage in Mpongwe and reduce the cost of ferrying maize to other districts for storage.
“I am very excited with what Government is doing because most of the time we have been facing challenges in storing bumper harvests that we have here in Mpongwe.
“Government has been spending a lot of money in ferrying harvests year in and year out,” he said.
Government is this year expects to construct additional maize storage facilities to add 225,000 tonnes to the grain storage capacity in Zambia.
This is besides the 98 maize storage facilities expected to be upgraded this year.
