DAL slow in carrying out duties: Simon

DEPARTMENT of Agriculture and Livestock (DAL) has been slow in carrying out its mandated duties in ensuring the agriculture sector benefits from Government’s assistance, a government minister says.
Agriculture and Livestock Minister John Simon said this when giving a preview of the department’s plans for the sector next year.
“Price support is a programme that the Government will continue to support,” the Minister said.
“Government has budgeted another K20 million. The problem has been DAL.
“We need to get our policy paper on price support and all other outstanding issues and matters.
“My request to the acting secretary is to pull the department together, go to Cabinet and get them (policy) approved.
“These are the things that I have been waiting on DAL (to do) but the department has been very slow.
“I’ve been trying to set up a team so I can work on those things.
“My appeal to the department is ‘let’s work a bit faster’.
“If we can get the policy paper and all these other things (done), we should be able to do it.
“We have K20 million and the Government wants to continue to fund it.”