The Parliamentary Committee on Transport and Public Infrastructure recently expressed satisfaction with progress made in the construction of a multi-billion kwacha rice processing factory that the Greenbelt Authority is constructing in Karonga District.
The Authority is constructing a rice processing plant as part of promoting industrialization and agro-processing for value addition.
Chairperson for the committee, Legislator Enock Phale expressed the satisfaction when the committee toured two complementary projects that the Authority is implementing in Karonga, all expected to benefit rice farmers in the country.
Speaking during the tour, Phale said said it was relieving to see that the project was at 90 percent of completion, a thing that raised hopes that rice farmers and business people in the country will soon start benefitting from the Government's one of a kind investment.
"We are impressed with the stage at which this project is, and we will make sure we see it through the end because it's a very relevant project. We will also make follows ups on the corresponding project where they are constructing a water intake to irrigate the Nthola-Ilola irrigation scheme, so that all these projects are completed and begin to benefit people," said Phale.
He added that the House Committee was duty bound to oversee that government money is put to good use for the benefit of the citizenry.
Upon its completion, the rice plant constructed in the area of Chief Mwenelondo will perform various rice processing functions throughout the chain such as shelling, polishing, grading and packaging.
The Greenbelt Authority projects that in a day the plant will be able to process at least 50 bags of rice weighing 50 kilograms each.
On his part, Greenbelt Authority's Director of Irrigation Operations Dr Chisomo Kumbuyo asked the Parliamentary Committee members to assist the institution by ascertaining that funds allocated to the institution are disbursed in time and in full amounts for it to register more of such progress.
Dr Kumbuyo said most of the Authority's projects fully rely on government funds as such any delay in funds disbursement leads to delays and sometimes stalling of projects.
"We are committed to deliver on our projects. The only thing we want to ask from you our honorable members is your support in both allocation of enough funds to our projects and also ensuring that we receive the funds in time," he said.
He added that the Authority was committed to implementation of various financial management policies to ensure financial prudence in utilization of government resources.
The rice processing factory is expected to be worth and the completion which was scheduled to be at the end of August 2023.
