Kalaba visits failed maize fields in Pemba

Deputy Minister in the Office of the Vice President Harry Kalaba has disclosed that his office has instituted an assessment committee which will look into the maize failure that has hit some parts of the country.

Mr Kalaba said Pemba is one of the towns that his committee will visit in order to ensure that people in the area are not affected by hunger.

He was speaking in Mpemba today when he made impromptu visits to some maize fields that have been affected by the poor rainfall pattern that hit the area.

The Deputy Minister assured that people of Pemba that government will do everything possible to mitigate the situation.

Mr Kalaba said it is imperative that when there is a disaster in the country, government should always come in.

And speaking earlier, Pemba United Party for National Development (UPND), Member of Parliament, Mutinta Mazoka, expressed happiness at the quick response that government has shown to her area.

Mrs Mazoka said government is setting a good example by coming to the aid of the people of her area as this was not common with the previous governments.

She said the people in her area would not harvest anything this farming season as the area experienced a poor rainfall pattern.

The MP explained that fertiliser was applied to crops both top and the basal but the rains were not enough.

She said about 200 villagers are affected by disaster in the area.