By PERPETUAL SICHIKWENKWE
in Kalumbila  –

•PRESIDENT Lungu listens attentively during the commissioning of a solar-powered milling plant at Kambazhi Multi-Purpose Cooperative in Solwezi yesterday.
Picture by SALIM HENRY/STATE HOUSE

PRESIDENT Lungu yesterday commissioned a solar-powered milling plant at Kambazhi in Solwezi, North-Western Province, which will see mealie-meal prices cut by half.
In places where the milling plants were already operational, the prices of mealie-meal had since reduced by half, now pegged between K50 and K55 compared to other millers selling the commodity between K80 and K120.
Mr Lungu told the people of Kalumbila District that the commissioning of the plant would result in the reduction of mealie-meal prices and create employment for women and youths.
The President said he was convinced after seeing the results in the places where the solar-powered milling plants were already working that cooperatives were the right way to go because they were sustainable.
He said ‎the commissioning of milling plants had proved that his message to the National Assembly in September last year was not mere rhetoric, but a reality.
Mr Lungu said that the plants which were being placed around the country at a cost of US$100 million would create employment and provide a ready market for local farmers who would be able to sell their maize to the cooperatives.
Zambia Cooperative Federation director general James Chirwa said the commissioning of the plant was another milestone as President Lungu continued to develop the nation.
Mr Chirwa said cooperatives were a sustainable and attainable venture.
Meanwhile, the North-Western Council of Elders has hailed President Lungu for accelerating development and appointing more people from the province to key positions.
Representative of the council, Lucas Chikoti said the people in the province were happy to see development take place in various districts.
He was speaking when Mr Lungu met the council at Kansanshi‎ Hotel in Solwezi yesterday.
Mr Chikoi, however, expressed concern at the slow pace at which some projects were being implemented and called for more efforts.
He also presented to Mr Lungu people’s concerns over the delayed construction of the North-Western railway line, which was crucial to development in the province.
The President, in response, said Government was building the economy and wanted to exploit all the potential which would lead to the growth of the economy to benefit everyone.
He said North-Western was a rich zone which could boost agriculture, tourism and many other sectors.
“I don’t care whether this region has been notorious for voting against PF‎, but you are Zambians and me as a leader I am obliged to listen to you,” Mr Lungu said.
He also said he would have failed late President Michael Sata’s vision if he plunged the country into chaos.
The President returns to Lusaka today.