Eagle Milling a conduit for looting - Mundubile

POLITICALLY exposed individuals in the UPND have been using Eagle Milling, a Zambia National Service (ZNS) milling company as a conduit to plunder and siphon public resources, Brian Mundubile has charged.

Mr Mundubile, presidential torchbearer of the National Reconciliation Party for Unity and Prosperity (NRPUP) under the Tonse Pamodzi Alliance says billions of Kwacha owed to the company have contributed to delayed payments to farmers by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) and its failure to announce the maize floor price.

Mr Mundubile has however, assured farmers that a Tonse Pamodzi Alliance government would ensure prompt payment for crops supplied to the FRA.

He, however, alleged that Eagle Milling had become a vehicle through which politically connected individuals had accessed huge amounts of money without repaying it.

Mr Mundubile stated that some senior Government officials, including individuals occupying high public offices, had obtained substantial credit facilities from Eagle Milling.

“Up to the level of Speaker and some media directors, people got mealie meal from an enterprise called Eagle Milling and were given facilities of over K100 million. President Hichilema is aware of these thefts of public resources,” Mr Mundubile said.

He also claimed that one presiding officer at the National Assembly was owing more than K100 million to Eagle Milling.

Mr Mundubile alleged that more than K4 billion remained outstanding from individuals he described as UPND cadres who had received goods or contracts through Eagle Milling without settling their obligations.

“President Hichilema, please do not allow a criminal enterprise that is siphoning money from Government to thrive. Do not turn a blind eye. The names are there. What balance sheets did these people have to be trusted with such huge amounts of money?” he said.

He explained that some beneficiaries from the plunder of the country’s treasury had used the proceeds to acquire properties abroad instead of repaying the money to government.

“They are buying flats in Dubai, investing in trucking and elsewhere. Suddenly these people are now in trucking business. Your members have been stealing money through Eagle Milling.

They set up a criminal enterprise, but our administration will not allow that. If you bought tractors, sell them and pay back,” Mr Mundubile said.

“Mr President, before accusing others of being thieves, check your own children and in your own bedroom. Explain why your members are walking away with K100 million. What collateral did they provide? Poor farmers are suffering because of your members who are holding on to over K2 billion.”

He said recovering public funds and restoring financial discipline would be among the priorities of a Tonse Alliance administration if elected into office.

And Mr Mundubile has accused the ruling party of nurturing a growing “gun culture,” urging President Hichilema to publicly condemn the use of firearms and violence in politics.

Speaking during a wrap-up press briefing after concluding his campaign tour of Central Province yesterday, Mr Mundubile said his team was using the briefing to clarify policy positions that may not have been fully explained during campaign rallies.