. Nguleka

By JAMES KUNDA –
FARMERS are happy with the repossession of Kawambwa Tea Company Limited (KTC) in Luapula Province by the Government because the move will translate into increased benefits for the country.
Zambia National Farmers Union (ZNFU) president Evelyn Nguleka said the union would now engage the Government on how farmers countrywide could maximise benefits from the revival of the moribund tea estate.
President Edgar Lungu on Thursday announced that the Government had signed an acquisition order to take over KTC which was abandoned by a Zimbabwean investor years ago.
Dr Nguleka urged the Government to fully invest in KTC so that the estate operates viably.
“We the farmers are very happy with this development because the tea estate has been idle for a long time and this was depriving the people of work and income.
“Now that the estate has been revived, we will be engaging the Government to find ways of how we can maximise the benefits of having a fully fledged tea estate operating in Zambia,” Dr Nguleka said.
She said in an interview yesterday that the country could not continue importing tea when KTC was in existence as this gave room to foreign owned companies to make profits at the expense of Zambians.
Zambia Consumer Association (ZACA) executive director Samuel Simutunda said the repossession of KTC was a welcome development for consumers.
Mr Simutunda said people would now have a variety of tea to consume while the move would also contribute to clearing the shelves of imported tea brands.
“We welcome the Government’s decision to repossess Kawambwa tea Company because our people will not only have a variety of the commodity, but will also reduce tea imports which the country has been dependent on for a long time. It will also make the cost of tea highly affordable,” he said.
Mr Simutunda said the association was encouraged that the revival of KTC was a stepping stone for the country in realising its agenda of economic diversification through industrialisation.