By JOSEPHINE SIKUTE –

GOVERNMENT has appealed for concerted efforts from members of the public in the fight against smuggling of mealie-meal to neighbouring countries.
Copperbelt Permanent Secretary Howard Sikwela said Government under the leadership of President Edgar  Lungu wanted to ensure that there was food security but it was unfortunately some people were frustrating Government efforts.
Speaking after he toured Masala Police Station in Ndola to inspect mealie-meal and maize that had been impounded, Reverend Sikwela encouraged the Police Service not to relent but to ensure that investigations were conducted properly.
Rev Sikwela expressed disappointment at some unscrupulous people that had resorted to using various methods to conceal mealie-meal and maize for smuggling.
“People have been concealing mealie-meal and getting bags of maize allocated to Chimanga Changa milling provided by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA).”
“They offload some bags elsewhere. I want to encourage police not to relent but to ensure that investigations are done properly and culprits are convicted,” he said.
Rev Sikwela encouraged members of the community to be vigilant but cautioned them against taking the law into their hands.
“This is our fight as a nation; all we want is that there must sanity in the way we are dealing with maize and mealie-meal. I would like to urge the community even when they find something wrong they should not the take law into their hands but should report to the security wings so that they can apply the law accordingly.
“It is risky to take the law into our own hands, we should realise that whatever we are sowing as a nation we will reap. Let us give the police service support they deserve,” he added.
And Masala police officer in charge Phiri Ngulube said the maize was heading for Chimanga Changa from FRA for processing but about 15 bags were diverted to Kabushi Township.
Mr Ngulube said the police had since called on FRA to help them ascertain the number of bags which were supposed to be in the truck.
He said the impounded mealie-meal concealed in bags of groundnuts was confiscated from Kapalala Market.
Mr Ngulube, however, could not comment further as the matter was before the courts of law.