We have inadequate maize stocks – Suleman

The government has been warned against tricking the public into believing that it has adequate maize in stock.

Presenting a report on ADMARC in parliament, chairperson of the agriculture committee Sameer Suleman accused the authorities of being dishonest in order to gain public favour.

“It is politics at play. I have all the facts with me that the country has no maize. This is the time for us to start telling people the truth,” Suleman blasted.

“I have all the presentations from the National Food Reserve Agency and ADMARC indicating that they do not have maize.

Suleman therefore urged the government to find solutions to alleviate extreme hunger among the citizenry

Meanwhile, Capital Hill responded with an assurance that it has fashioned firm measures to ensure ample accessibility of maize amid a prevailing nationwide shortage.

Agriculture minister Sam Kawale insists the government has put in place strategies to guarantee the availability of maize in all ADMARC depots

He said: “A good number of people will harvest nothing because of weather factors. We will provide maize flour to those in need through DoDMA and we will also initiate social cash transfer to those in need.”

Adverse weather conditions have affected farming, mainly the staple grain, maize, raising fears of continued hunger situation.