FIRST Quantum Minerals (FQM) has offered a glimmer of hope to millions of Zambian households by delivering 51,917 bags of maize from Tanzania to Zambia to help alleviate the current food shortage caused by last season’s devastating drought.
This shipment is part of the corporation’s commitment to transport 4,000 metric tonnes of maize valued at 13 million Kwacha as the country grapples with the after effects of one of the worst droughts in recent years.
The 2023–2024 rainy season saw unusually poor rainfall which left the country in the grips of a food crisis by early 2024.
On February 29 this year, President Hakainde Hichilema declared the drought a national disaster and emergency, prompting government to launch several initiatives to secure food for the affected communities.
As part of this effort, government reached an agreement with Tanzania to import 650,000 metric tonnes of maize through the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) and the Tanzania National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA).
FQM later stepped in to assist with the transportation and delivery of this relief food.
Addressing the media in Kapiri Mposhi yesterday, the mining corporation’s Corporate Affairs Manager Kyansenga Chitoshi confirmed that FQM’s contribution was nearing completion with the last batch of the maize arriving in the country by the end of this week.
“This occasion marks the fulfillment of our commitment to transport 4,000 metric tonnes of maize from Tanzania. FQM was born in Zambia, starting in Ndola about 30 years ago, and we thought it was important to come on board and see how we could help the government during this crisis,” said Chitoshi.
“In July, we approached the government to see how we could assist and we decided to cover the transportation costs for this maize.This is us confirming that we have almost completed meeting our commitment to Zambia and the value of our contribution is K13 million. These sacks there are about 52, 000 bags.”
Chitoshi called upon others from the corporate world to also contribute to society’s well being.
“We hope this encourages other companies in the corporate world to step in and contribute as well. This is part of small contribution to a crisis of this nature,” she noted.
Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) Emergency and Relief Assistant Director Makoye Chisuta expressed gratitude to the company on behalf of government.
“We are here to monitor the delivery of relief maize that has been imported through the government-to-government agreement between Zambia and Tanzania. FQM’s contribution is a key part of this initiative and we are grateful for their support in transporting 4,000 tonnes of maize.”
“By the end of the week, we expect the full delivery of FQM’s contribution and we are working with the NFRA to bring in the remaining balance of maize. We are grateful for the kind gesture from the corporate world,” said Chisuta.
He assured the nation of government’s commitment to esnsuring that none of the over six million affected people die of hunger.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, September 12, 2024
