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GMB selling bucket of maize at $11,25- Chief Nebire
08 Feb 2016 at 06:15hrs | Views
Senator Chief Nebire has complained before Vice President Emmerson Mnagagwa in the senate that the Grain Marketing Board was selling a bucket of maize to villagers at $11,25 contrary to the price which is charged by some local independent sellers of the staple food.
He asked the VP of the correct price of the product saying villagers were in a serious fix over the GMB price.
"My question is directed to the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Services but in her absence, I am directing my question to the Vice President, Hon. Mnangagwa. We have maize from GMB that came to the rural areas. In my area, the grain is there but when it came, people went to get assistance," Nebire said. "The price is $11.25 a bucket. I need to be enlightened on whether that is the price countrywide. From other sellers, we buy maize at $5 per bucket. The grain is there and no one is buying it. So, I want to be enlightened as to whether that is the national price for the grain."
Mnangagwa said those who are experiencing hunger are in two phases which are those who are disadvantaged and are being assisted by the department of Social Welfare.
"These have already been noted by the Social Welfare and those who need to purchase their own grain. What you have asked is the price of maize. What I advise is that you put your question in writing and address it to the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development,"Mnangagwa said. "They will enlighten you on the price. For me it would be difficult because I am not aware of the price of a bucket of maize. What I know is grain is in two phases. What I know is, some grain comes to the various communities and is given as aid. That is, mostly to vulnerable groups such as child headed families and the elderly. Some have to buy but for me to know how much a bucket costs, I would not know. So, if you put your question in writing, Hon. Made will be able to address that."
He asked the VP of the correct price of the product saying villagers were in a serious fix over the GMB price.
"My question is directed to the Minister of Public Service, Labour and Social Services but in her absence, I am directing my question to the Vice President, Hon. Mnangagwa. We have maize from GMB that came to the rural areas. In my area, the grain is there but when it came, people went to get assistance," Nebire said. "The price is $11.25 a bucket. I need to be enlightened on whether that is the price countrywide. From other sellers, we buy maize at $5 per bucket. The grain is there and no one is buying it. So, I want to be enlightened as to whether that is the national price for the grain."
Mnangagwa said those who are experiencing hunger are in two phases which are those who are disadvantaged and are being assisted by the department of Social Welfare.
"These have already been noted by the Social Welfare and those who need to purchase their own grain. What you have asked is the price of maize. What I advise is that you put your question in writing and address it to the Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development,"Mnangagwa said. "They will enlighten you on the price. For me it would be difficult because I am not aware of the price of a bucket of maize. What I know is grain is in two phases. What I know is, some grain comes to the various communities and is given as aid. That is, mostly to vulnerable groups such as child headed families and the elderly. Some have to buy but for me to know how much a bucket costs, I would not know. So, if you put your question in writing, Hon. Made will be able to address that."
Source - Byo24News
