Zambia to revive fertilizer plant

Date:01-28-2009

AP reports that Vice President George Kunda tod the National Assembly that funds from the next national budget have been allocated to get Nitrogen Chemicals of Zambia (NCZ) back on its feet again.

The plant, constructed in the 1970's, plays a crucial role to the agriculture sector's ability to produce enough food for the country. However, broken and obsolete equipment have crippled the plant and forced the country to import fertilizer at a much higher cost.

Earlier this week, NCZ workers staged a protest to demand government action for the plant, or a payment of their terminal benefits if the government is unwilling to upgrade the plant.