3 SINDA AGRO DEALERS FACE AXE

Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet in charge of E-Government Martine Mtonga has directed Smart Zambia director in-charge of systems development to immediately suspend three agro-dealers in Sinda district for swindling farmers.
Dr. Mtonga says government is not taking the matter lightly especially were agro-dealers are conniving with cooperative leaders to swindle farmers.
And Dr. Mtonga says 9-hundred and 22-thousand farmers countrywide have deposited their money to access farming inputs under the Farmer Input Support Program (FISP) for the 2018/2019 agriculture season.
He was speaking today when he paid a courtesy call on Eastern Province permanent secretary Chanda Kasolo.
Dr Mtonga said President Edgar Lungu has put an emphasis on him and his team to finalise the FISP programme this week.
He commended the Eastern Province agriculture coordinating officer Alex Chilala and his team for effectively carrying out their work.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kasolo said he will direct police to investigate and arrest the agro-dealers and cooperative leaders in Sinda if found wanting.
He said Smart Zambia is about doing things smartly with integrity and professionally to fight corruption.
Mr. Kasolo urged all farmers in the province to report to his office any agro-dealer or cooperative leader indulging in corrupt practices.