FRA fails to pay 2010 debt owed to cooperatives in Lundazi

The Food Reserve Agency FRA is reported to have not paid cooperatives, who were contracted to buy maize on their behalf during the 2010 marketing exercise in Lundazi district.
Some of the affected cooperatives complained in an interview with Breeze News that the agency has not yet paid them their money.
Mtila Cooperative Society Chairperson, Noah Ngulube disclosed that the agency owes them 49,700 Kwacha for the 69,090 by 50 kilogramme bags of maize bought by the cooperative in the area.
He further revealed that since 2010 up to date, the cooperative has been chasing up the payments through the DACOs office and district FRA offices but to no avail.
Mr. Ngulube appealed to the agency to pay them on time as cooperative members are not happy with the delayed payments.
He alleged that more than 20 cooperatives are affected.
But when contacted for comment FRA Spokesperson, Daniel Musoka denied claims from the cooperatives that the agency owes the cooperatives.
Mr. Musoka however, referred the matter to the DACO’s office in Lundazi stating that they were in a better position to explain on the matter as FRA is not aware of the alleged debt.