By Mubanga Mubanga
Cabinet has approved the sale of 500,000 surplus Maize to various destinations around the African region.
In a statement issued yesterday, on the decisions approved by Cabinet, chief government spokesperson Cornelius Mweetwa stated that the export of the surplus maize was premised on the fact that agriculture was a business.
“Cabinet approved the export surplus maize grain totalling 501,620 Mt or its equivalent quantity of mealie meal to various destinations in the region. This is premised on the fact that the government has pronounced that agriculture is business,” he stated.
Mweetwa stated that the country had a total stock of 4 million Mt of maize.
“During the 2024/2025 farming season, the country produced an estimated 3.7 million Mt of maize grain and had a carry over stock of 385,000 Mt. This implies that the total available stock of 2025/2026 stood at 4,040 million,” Mweetwa stated. “The 2025/2026 national food balance sheet estimates the total national requirements for maize grain is (human consumption, industrial use and strategic reserve) at 3.5 million Mt.”
Mweetwa stated that Cabinet emphasized that all maize stored in strategic food reserves should be stored properly to avoid wastage.
He also stated that Cabinet emphasized that national food security should remain a priority to ensure that the citizens had adequate food in the country.
On road safety, Mweetwa stated that Cabinet had approved the issuance of honorary road traffic Inspectors, in order to supplement efforts of the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) and Zambia Police service.
“During the meeting Cabinet also approved the issuance of the Road traffic (Honorary Road traffic Inspectors) regulations 2025. In order to supplement efforts in road traffic enforcement by the Road Transport and Safety Agency (RTSA) and Zambia Police service and enhance compliance,” Mweetwa stated.
He state that in recent years, Zambia experienced a significant increase in the number of motor vehicles and expansion of road infrastructure.
Mweetwa, however, stated that the growth in road accidents and fatalities, were primarily due to non compliance with traffic rules and regulations by drivers.
On worker’s Compensation, Mweetwa stated that Cabinet had approved the issuance of workers reimbursement to provide for the payment of funeral expenses reimbursement.
“Currently the board has been relying on corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a means of helping workers whose death as a result of injury or disease during their employment,” he stated.
Mweetwa stated that Cabinet approved a thirteen member Commission of the Zambia Law Development Commission (ZLDC).
He stated the appointment was to ensure continuity in the leadership and operation of ZLDC.
