Truckloads of Mukula cleared for export – Minister

By KETRA KALUNGA
MUKULA logs harvested before the ban on harvest, trade and export imposed by Government, have been cleared for export.
Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Elijah Muchima said the verification of documentation for the logs which were exempted from the suspended harvest and export was not complete.
Mr Muchima however said truckloads of Mukula had been cleared for export.
The new dawn government in September this year suspended the harvesting and export of Mukula to pave way for verification of documentation for those exempted and the impact of the 2017 ban.
Mr. Muchima, who is acting minister for Green Economy and Environment said the suspension of Mukula trade would be lifted once a mechanism that would ensure that Zambians benefit from the resources was in place.
He said in an interview that Zambians had for a long time been having a raw deal as they were being used by foreigners who had been having the major share of the Mukula trade.
Mr Muchima said the suspension had taken long because the new dawn government wanted to put in place measures that would ensure that Zambians, especially youths get the most out of Mukula trade unlike the current arrangement where foreigners were taking the major stake.
“So the mechanism is being put in place, suggestions are there, there is the committee to see the best way how we can target the benefits to go to our youths than the current arrangement where only foreigners are taking advantage,
“That is the reason why there is a bit of delay but it’s for a good purpose and it is in the interest of the Zambian people,” he said.
Mr. Muchima said the new dawn administration was eager to empower its own citizens with Mukula trade given the high unemployment levels.
He said the country despite being endorsed with a variety of species was not benefitting in any way hence the government’s resolve to come up with the cost-benefit analysis of not only Mukula trade but also other timber species.