ONE former Cabinet minister in the previous MMD regime is on record for saying Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) is a “bottomless pit”.
Such sentiments were being insinuated by those who saw NCZ plant as a threat to their fertiliser business cartels.
Therefore, previous plans to have NCZ fully recapitalised were strongly opposed by the same doomsayers and spin-doctors.
As though not enough, these people almost convinced Government that NCZ can never function again and that it would be better to turn it into a storage shade for imported fertiliser!
That was quite unrealistic and cheap This month marks exactly three years since the PF Government ascended to power and NCZ seems to be slowly getting back onto its two feet.
The people of Kafue had for a long time cried for the recapitalisation of not only NCZ but also other major industries that sustained the social and economic life of the town since the 1970s.
Well, I have lived my entire life in Kafue and I have a sure idea to what extent the industries had impacted many lives in the town.
Recently Finance Minister Alexander Chikwanda with his Agriculture and Livestock counterpart Wylbur Simuusa toured NCZ plant in Kafue and pledged continued support to the company.
So far NCZ has produced 85,213 tonnes of D-compound fertiliser under the 2014/2015 Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) out of the total 106,409 tonnes at a total cost of K611 million, and distributed 72,000 tonnes to 77 districts in the 10 provinces of the country.
This is indeed a sure way of using agriculture as a tool to end poverty, whose levels have steadily increased in the country.
I too, hope the Government will further consider fully recapitalising NCZ so that the plant operates on a full capacity basis and employs many more young people in the town.
The Government should also expedite the process of paying off retirees’ benefits in order to lessen the suffering of these former employees.
MUBANGA LUMPA
Kafue

Thumbs up to Janza

I WRITE to commend Honor Janza for his bold decision to start restructuring the Zambia Soccer Team with immediate effect.
Some of us have written several times to make the coaching team realise the need for restructuring so I am happy with Janza’s pronouncement of infusing young and fresh legs in the senior team.
This will bring the much-needed firepower in the team because the fresh and young players would want to prove their worthiness, thereby bringing much needed competition in the team.
As rightly put it, the restructuring should be gradual and can assure you, positive results will be achieved soon.
Take for instance the team that played Sudan as a litmus test; that team was well coordinated and just superb.
Your role as a coach should be creating a formidable team and not playing names.
We have a lot of tired legs currently that need rest and can only play for a good number of minutes but not full games.
Finally I write to congratulate the Zambia Netball Team for qualifying to its maiden Netball World Cup to be held in Australia in August 2015.
This is a plus where sports activities are concerned and are proud of you as sports enthusiasts
WISDOM MUYUNDA
Chingola

Kafubu Water should improve

I WRITE to express my displeasure with the work culture of Kafubu Water employees.
The workers are supposed to open the Kiosks in Kawama at 07:00 hours and close at 17:00 hours, but they come at 09:00 hours and close at 14:00 hours and sometimes earlier than that.
I am urging Kafubu Water and Sewerage Company to improve on the service delivery as water is life.
BETHEL CHABALA
Luanshya