By JUDITH NAMUTOWE –
FORTY-EIGHT solar-powered milling units have arrived in Zambia through the Nakonde border post, with another 48 expected before the end of this month via Beira in Mozambique.
A total of 100 sets are expected to be in the country in readiness for installation.
Zambia Cooperatives Federation (ZCF) director James Chirwa and manager-operations and projects, Derrick Sokoni confirmed this in separate interviews yesterday.
Mr Chirwa said the 48 milling units that arrived in Nakonde were for onward transportation to Kasama in Northern Province.
“The other set of 48 milling units are still on sea and are set to arrive in Chipata through the port of Beira on December 31, 2015,” Mr Chirwa said.
This is expected to bring the number of milling units so far imported into the country to 99.
Three units have already been installed in Solwezi, North-Western Province, and Kasama.
Mr Chirwa said 25 sets fitted with central controlling systems (CCS) had also arrived in Nakonde en route to Kasama, while 50 other sets of CCS were scheduled to arrive in Chipata soon.
Other materials that arrived in the country included 30 sets of pre-fabricated houses while 50 sets of solar systems were on the way to Zambia.
About 2,000 milling machines for primary cooperatives are expected to be installed in many parts of the country next year.
This follows the sourcing of US$20 million initial payment by the federation.
In July this year, Mr Chirwa said the federation had paid $20 million towards the importation of the milling units to the manufacturer in China.
The installation of 2,000 units in all the 10 provinces is expected to enhance access to affordable mealie-meal by consumers in the country.