By AUSTIN KALUBA –

PARAMOUNT Chief Mpezeni of the Ngoni people has hailed the Patriotic Front (PF) Government for effecting several development projects in Eastern Province.
The chief, who was speaking at his palace in Feni in Luangeni when Neria Investment Limited general manager Martin Chaikatisha paid a courtesy call on him, said the ruling party had constructed roads, built schools and hospitals, among several other development projects.
“The development is there for everyone to see, indicating Government’s commitment to develop the area,” the traditional ruler said.
He commended Mr Chaikatisha, who kick-started the distribution of urea fertiliser in all the districts of Eastern Province last week, saying the timely distribution of inputs would enable the farmers have a good yield.
Mr Chaikatisha said that more that 14,000 tonnes of fertiliser had been allocated for distribution in the province.
He said the company would complete the exercise within four months.
“We are calling on the ministry of Agriculture to expedite the exercise for the beneficiaries to pick up the commodity from the depots,” he said.
Mr Chaikatisha said it was his wish to see the speedy completion of the exercise to enable the farmers to prepare their farmlands before the onset of the rain.
He said as distributors, Neria Investment wanted to enhance the PF’s record of supporting farmers, as it had realised that agriculture was the cornerstone of the economy.
“Neria has been given the contract to distribute fertiliser in zone one which comprises Muchinga and Northern provinces and zone five, which covers Lusaka and Eastern provinces,” he said.
Mr Chaikatisha said the Zambian farmers were privileged to have a caring Government that had put in place measures that supported agriculture when many regional countries were experiencing food shortages.
He later visited Chanida border, which borders Zambia and Mozambique, where several truckloads of fertiliser were entering the country.