By MUNAMBEZA MUWANEI –
GOVERNMENT has mobilised resources to fund the International Red Locusts Control for Central and Southern Africa.
The orgnisation whose head office is in Zambia relies on contributions for funding from members countries that include the host, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Permanent Secretary David Shamulenge said Government was preparing resources to fund the organisation.
“We are aware that the orgnisation has not been funded, but we are mobilising funds, they will soon receive funding,” Dr Shamulenge said.
International Red Locusts Control chief executive officer Moses Okhaba last week said his organisation was waiting for contributions from member countries.
He said lack of funding to the organisation had resulted in the organisations not fulfilling its obligation and failed to pay workers’ salaries.
The organisation was responsible for the prevention of international migratory pests and also monitors key areas in case of an outbreak.
As a result of lack of funding to the organisation, workers had also been affected and they had gone four months without salaries.
This has affected them and some of them told the Sunday Times that they were unable to pay for their children school fees and have also received eviction notices from their houses.
Meanwhile, Dr Shamulenge said Government had put in place control measures in case of of an outbrek of army worms.
“We are alert and any suspected pests will be contained as we have reinforcements in all the districts,” he said.