Youths call for transparency in inputs distribution
By JACKSON MAPAPAYI
THE United Party for NationalDevelopment (UPND) youths in North-Western Province have called on officers in the Ministry of Agriculture responsibilities of distributing farm inputs to be transparent.
UPND provincial youth chairman Bruce Kanema states that the interest of the ruling party is to ensure that the inputs reach the intended beneficiaries.
Mr Kanema said the programme which is being implemented at a high cost is purely meant to benefit farmershence the need for transparency. He was speaking when he held a meeting with the provincial agricultural coordinator MiyoboShimabale after two people were arrested in Kasempa for being in possession of about 117×50 kilograms of fertiliser.
MrKanema stated that as youths in the province, they will not leave any stone unturned but ensure that the inputs go to intendedbeneficiaries. “Because I know that among the officers there are bad eggs with intentions to divert the inputs,” he said. He however mentioned that his office will not interfere in any way but just ensure that the inputs go to intended beneficiaries. And in response, Mr Shimabale assured Mr Kanema that his office will ensure that the inputs go to intended beneficiaries without. Mr Shimabale said the exercise has well stipulated guidelines and he will ensure that officers follow them.
He however acknowledged the need to screen some of the beneficiaries in order to avoid lapses. He said what transpired in Kasempa was unfortunate and that the law should take its course and bring the culprits to book
