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National
Minister confesses ADMARC has no maize
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By Green Muheya, Nyasa Times |
December 27, 2011 · 30 Comments |
Malawi’s Local Government and Rural Development Minister Henry Mussa admitted Tuesday that its grain marketor, ADMARC, has no maize to sell the poor populace.
His confession comes a few days after Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation Kingsley Namakhwa publicly told the nation ADMARC was stocking enough of the staple grain to feed the nation until the next harvest.
There has been growing reports that the country silos were running low on maize hence ADMARC’s move to ration the selling of maize from 50kg per customer to 25kg.
Mussa: No grain at ADMARC
But speaking during the elevation of Patrick Chiwanda from Chief Tsabango to Senior Chief, Mussa pleaded with President Bingu wa Mutharika to “push for maize availability from the silos to ADMARC.”
The minister told Mutharika and by default Malawians that people had money in the villages but they cannot buy the staple food because it is not there.
“Bwana [boss], people want maize in ADMARC, there is money but no maize to buy,” Mussa told Mutharika.
Presidential assurance
And during his speech, Mutharika assured Mussa that “we will ensure that ADMARC has enough stocks for people to buy. However, the president blamed the private traders of creating the problem because, he claimed they buy maize from ADMARC in bulks and resell across the border.
“These people line up, buy the maize and sell outside the country leaving our people without food,” bemoaned Mutharika.
He called upon the law enforcers and chiefs to ensure that the tendency is stopped and culprits are brought to book.
The Malawi leader also pleaded with the people not to sell their remaining maize until the next harvest advising them that the rains have proved to be erratic and there could be disaster.
“I am urging you to take care of your maize, do not sell… Of course it is your maize and I cannot control you what to do with it,” stated Mutharika.
Majority of Malawians who still live below than a dollar a day depend on ADMARC for maize because it is relatively cheaper than the private traders.
Some two weeks ago, barely few months after announcing the rationing programme, the government grain reserve and marketing agency hiked the price by 50 percent from K2000 ($12) to K3000 ($18) per 50 kg bag making it more difficult for poor Malawians to have access to a decent staple food.
And just after the increase, vendors in the country’s major cities and towns also hiked their prices which is now selling between K3250 and K5,000 per 50kg bag depending on the area.
But government, through Namakhwa irrationally defended the price hike claiming the move would save the poor from exploitation of parallel market traders.
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Tags: Bingu wa Mutharika, Henry Mussa, maize
30 Responses to “Minister confesses ADMARC has no maize”
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Alhomwe dziko lakukanikani kulamulira pelekani kwa ambwenumbwenu olo adzipanilira hot seats as they do now yangali kandu mesa imwe mulupeleka à votre ami s’appele Muli? Nous n’avons de problème même si nous un m’chewa ngati président. Mwatitopetsapo apa mwatokhala anzeru ndinu nokha?
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ReplyOOOH! GOD 4 BID, MESA MUNKATI MUDZATHETSA NJALA INU NANGA PANO ZIKUKULAKANI. AMBUYE TICHITILENI CHIFUNDO PA ZOMWE ZIKUCHITIKAZI.
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ReplyMalawians! Malawians! Its high time we stand up and claim our country frm these foreigners, in Tunisia it started with one graduate who burnt himself, until Ben Ali run away, then it was Igypt, then Libya,while Yemenis and Syrians are still on it, we can stand up, from the look of things, we hv no leadershp in the country, what the gvt is doing is try and error! Learning some1 hw to drive a mini/ bus while loaded with passengers.
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ReplyMR PRESIDENT -THIS IS BUSHIT.
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1
Replyakufuna kumanga ma thank a mafuta a chani a kukanika kudzaza thank ya pa filling station kodi amene atamangewo mafuta ake achokera kuti
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ReplyMy question is, where is the maize for next 5 years you preach about. Should UDF and MCP be blamed for not building Admarks? Jesus!!!!!!!!! come into our rescue this country has failled us all.People who was chosen to read the nation are now misreading us. Its my prayer to Yahwe to take these readers.
Well-loved. Like
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ReplyA minista!Anthu akumudzi ndalama azitenga kuti?Fodya sodagulitse,kapena mudogula ndi inu omene?
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ReplyMy mum, a government employee, is still waiting for her October, November and December salaries and you expect me to sit here and smile at this clown!! No ways! Enough is enough, I have been waving my olive branch for so long but this government is not sensitive to my plight! Now I am ready to swap my olive branch for a Kalashnikov (AK47)!! I will fight this government out for a better Malawi!!!
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ReplyIt sad again to hear that rains are erratic back at home.The prices hiked and the grain reserves are not enough to feed my motherland.
I always question how the government plans for the citizens welfare. Not long time ago maize was being exported to Kenya and other countries. Without forex will you buy food for the citizens? The month of February is often times acute in food shortages. PEPANI ABALE ANGA
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ReplyDear Mr President
I am very concerned with some of your critics. A first it was the forex shortage of which you blamed it on the cotton buyers who you claimed they went out with our forex. Being an ordinary Malawian I thought it was true.
Then it was the fuel shortage. On this one you blamed the black marketers and the opposition who you claimed were hiding the gold commodity so that you and the DPP should emerge failures.
On the so claimed bad governance you as well put the blame on the opposition MCP and UDF forgeting that you are at the helm of government endorsing the bills of your interest.
You blame the opposition on the
mysterious death of Robert (Chasowa) and the torching of the markets and houses.
Now! You are blaming the private traders on the scarcity of the the only locally available stapple food-maize and not you who imported it to Kenya and Zimbabwe as a donation together with your fellow Mulhako Mulli?
Mr Malawi Leader, even a fool when he holdeth his peace, he is counted wise. If you feel like not in a good mood to coment on any issue of Malawi’s interest its better to shut up.
Much as I respect you I also need to inform you on the failures. GOD BLESS YOUR LEADERSHIP.
Well-loved. Like
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