KASUNGU-(MaraviPost)-President Lazarus Chakwera on Monday, April 15, 2024 warned that his administration will deal with anybody found participating in illegal trading of tobacco.
Chakwera observed that the practice normally defrauds farmers and the entire nation.
He however cautioned illegal traders on at Chinkhoma in Kasungu where he officially opened the 2024 Tobacco Marketing Season themed “Safeguarding Our Economy: Uniting Against Illegal Tobacco Trade.”
The President disclosed that this marketing season seeks to bring awareness towards illegal tobacco trading.
To emphasize his determination to arrest illegal trading of tobacco, Chakwera has instructed relevant authorities, mostly the Inspector General of Police, to take an active role in curbing the vice through close monitoring of events along the value chain as well as enforcing all legal and regulatory frameworks, the new Tobacco Industry Act inclusive.
“To the inspector General of Police, please intensify monitoring and enforcement of the regulatory frameworks, and arrest anybody in violation of the same,” orders Chakwera.
Chakwera has since described the 2024 Tobacco Marketing Season as having commenced on a good note with the leaf attracting fair prices. Based on some of the sales slips in circulation, prices went as high as US$3 per kg.
The Malawi leader also expressed optimism that the Tobacco industry, being the economy’s backbone, will continue being pivotal to country’s development agenda in line with the Malawi Vision 2063.
Chakwera reminded Malawians to give credit to tobacco farmers for their commendable role of generating the much- needed forex which facilitates importation of various goods and services to the country.
“If there are Malawians working hard to bring forex in this country, toping the list are tobacco farmers. People flock to the bank to buy forex for various tasks, but it is the tobacco farmer who deserves applause for generating it for us. That’s why when we lack forex for imports, paying school fees abroad, seeking medical services abroad, importing fuel, all we need is to give our farmers the needed support,” advised Chakwera.
Earlier in the day, Chakwera officially opened the state-of- the-art Tobacco Commission office complex, constructed to the tune of MK950 million, followed by inspection of the construction of 110 officers’ houses at Engineering Battalion.
