By SAM PHIRI –

. LUNGU

PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu says there is a strong possibility that Government might import food next year due to the poor rainfall pattern being experienced in most parts of the country.
The Head of State said talks with the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU) on the issue had advanced, making it imperative to start planning now.
He said technical stakeholders were also working out other measures like the possibility of re-planting early maturing crops that would help salvage something out of the little rain.
“I think the time to start preparing is now and we are discussing with the Vice-President and all stakeholders at a technical level on how to handle this, but we might definitely have to import,” he said.
The President was speaking in Lusaka yesterday at City Airport shortly before departure for the Copperbelt to celebrate 50 years of the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) existence.
He said it was important to share with the Church.
“It is vital that we share with them (UCZ) the joys of living in Christ,” he said.
While on the Copperbelt, President Lungu is expected to visit some Mufuchani residents whose houses were recently demolished by the Kitwe City Council.
The President said the victims were close to his heart and that he had confidence in Local Government and Housing Minister Stephen Kampyongo’s call to be proactive in dealing with both the councillors and the beneficiaries.
“I think what has happened is that there seems to be a disconnection between the people who are supposed to benefit from the councillors and the councillors themselves.
“The demands and needs are not reflected due to the conduct of some councillors,” Mr Lungu said.
He was optimistic that with the new Constitution in place, there would be a better way of handling such matters in future.