Chipoka Mulenga denies ban on maize transportation to DRC

_{By GIDEON NYENDWA}

THE Zambian government has categorically denied reports that the country has instituted a ban on the movement of maize and mealie-meal imported by Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from South Africa after the temporal closure of the Kasumbalesa, Mikambo and Sakania borders.

Mr. Mulenga, the Minister of Commerce Trade and Industry has stated that Zambia has continued to serve as a crucial transit point for goods being transported to the DRC from South Africa, including maize.

He said the DRC was still using Zambia as a transit point for most of the goods that country was buying from South Africa, stating that the Zambian government had never at any point banned DRC from transporting their maize through Zambia and that had there been a ban an official government communique would have been issued.

Mr Mulenga has since challenged economist, Dr. Lubinda Haabazoka to substantiate his claims regarding the alleged ban. Dr Haabazoka has urged government to resolve the trade tensions with the DRC by engaging in diplomatic dialogue than resorting to shutting the borders which is fears would affect the economies of the two neighbouring countries.

But Mr Mulenga has not taken kindly Dr Haabazoka’s advice and accused the economist of politicizing the closure of the boarders, claiming that there were no trade rifts between the countries.

“I urge Dr. Haabazoka to provide evidence of which DRC national contacted him to say that Zambia had banned the DRC from using Zambia as a transit route for imported mealie-meal from South Africa,” Mulenga added.

He clarified that the temporary suspension of operations at the DRC-Zambia border was not related to any alleged ban but was a precautionary measure due to safety concerns following riots in the DRC that spilled over into Zambia.

Mr Mulenga further criticized Dr. Haabazoka, urging him to contribute positively to national development rather than engaging in what he described as unnecessary politicking.

He said Dr. Haabazoka was an academician and should there aspire to propose solutions which would help the country, as opposed to politicking all the time

Mr Mulenga also expressed disappointment over what he termed as unpatriotic behavior from Dr. Haabazoka, warning that such statements could have serious consequences.

Mr. Mulenga concluded by stating that if any ban had been instituted, it would have been formally communicated, and dismissed the allegations as baseless.

Meanwhile Mr Mulenga and his counterpart from the DRC had a meeting from yesterday to try and resolves the issue that had spark the riots that country after the DRC government suspend the use of importation or use of Zambia beverages for a period of 12 months.