. Lubinda

By CHATULA KANGALI –
JAMBO Milling has opened its first plant in Ndola on the Copperbelt at a cost of US$2 million to help sustain the local market.
The milling plant, located in the industrial area is the third to be opened in Ndola after Chimanga Changa and Olympic.
Agriculture Minister Given Lubinda who commissioned the plant at the weekend urged the  management to be competitive and ensure that the price of mealie-meal remains affordable.
Mr Lubinda said Government was working hard to ensure that prices of mealie-meal remained affordable for citizens.
“Government is working extremely hard to ensure prices of mealie-meal are reduced.
“We are advising millers to be aware that the industry they have entered is highly sensitive and as you pursue your investment, be aware and cautious that any unnecessary movement in the prices shall attract political ramification,” he said.
The minister urged Jambo milling to consider opening more plants to help lower the continued escalating prices of mealie-meal in the country.
Jambo Milling managing director Axmed Shile said the milling plant had a production capacity of 720 tonnes per month and a workforce of 100.
Mr Shile said the new plant would help lower mealie-meal prices not only in Ndola but the country at large.
“Jambo milling wants to satisfy the mealie-meal market demand in Ndola, the district is most of the times hit by mealie-meal shortages, we decided to open this milling plant in order to cushion the shortages and create jobs for the locals,” he said.