PM issues ultimatum on cotton buying system
SIMIYU: PRIME Minister Dr Mwigulu Nchemba has directed the Minister for Agriculture, Daniel Chongolo to meet stakeholders in the cotton sector and, within one month, present a new purchasing system aimed at giving farmers fairer deal and strengthening production.
He issued the directives yesterday while addressing residents of Itilima District in Simiyu Region after Itilima Member of Parliament Njalu Silanga raised concerns over the current cotton buying system.
“From today, the 14th, by the time we reach the 14th of next month, I should have received a report on the best arrangement that we will agree on,” Dr Nchemba said.
He said the government would compare previous and current cotton buying systems before agreeing on a framework that would deliver greater benefits to farmers without undermining production, cotton prices or wananchi’s livelihoods.
The Prime Minister said the review was intended to identify the most practical arrangement for strengthening the cotton sector while protecting farmers’ interests.
In another directive, Dr Nchemba said the government had abolished the legal provision that allowed wananchi’s livestock to be confiscated and ordered a review of other laws and regulations governing the livestock sector.
He also directed that wananchi whose livestock had been confiscated but later won their court cases should be compensated.
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The Premier further instructed government authorities not to confiscate motorcycles, tricycles, bicycles, handcarts or other tools wananchi use to earn a living as a way of enforcing fines.
Instead, he said, penalties should be imposed in accordance with the law without depriving citizens of their means of livelihood.
The Prime Minister also issued fresh instructions to health authorities, saying patients referred for specialised treatment should never be asked to pay for fuel for ambulances.
“From now on, a patient should not be asked to pay for fuel for an ambulance. Once you determine that a patient needs a referral, fulfil your responsibility and rush them there immediately,” he said.
He said access to referral healthcare should not be delayed by transport costs, stressing that once health workers determined a patient required specialised treatment, they should facilitate the transfer without imposing additional financial burdens.
