• Green Part President says the decision by DEC shows that the UPND government is not clear on establishment of Green Economy and Environment Ministry.
• Mr. Sinkamba estimates the destroyed cannabis to be worth $640 million.
• The destruction was witnessed by members of the District Joint Operations Committee.

Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) reveals it has destroyed over 6.7 tons of Cannabis in Lundazi District of Eastern Province.

In a statement on its Facebook Page, DEC said among the destroyed include other drugs forfeited to the State from various cases over the past months.

The Commission notes the destruction was witnessed by members of the District Joint Operations Committee, the Clerk of the Subordinate Court and Council Officials.

The Commission has also uploaded pictures confirming the destruction on open air.

And Green Part President told Money FM News in an interview that the Decision by DEC shows that the Untied Party for National Development (UPND) government is not clear on the establishment of Green Economy and Environment Ministry.

Peter Sinkamba noted that the mode that the commission had used to destroy the Cannabis contradicts the principles of Green Economy and environment as the act of burning in open air contributes to climate change.

“It also indicates that you do not understand the concept of Green Economy because in a Green Economy arrangement you don’t waste resources like that.”

Mr. Sinkamba estimated the destroyed cannabis to be worth around $640 million depending on the grade.

“The resource which has been wasted 6.7 tonnes of Cannabis, in monetary terms that cannot be less than $170 million but it can go up to about $640 million depending on what the grade that we are talking about.” He estimated.

Peter Sinkamba who is also Zambia Hemp Growers & Industries Association (ZamHemp) President/Chief Executive Officer explained that Zambian being an impoverished country already has the law in place under the Cannabis Act of 2021 which provides that Cannabis which is illegally grown must be surrendered to the Zambia National Service.

He urged the UPND Government to quickly clean up the few statutes that are required so that the resource can be put to good use for the nation.

The ZamHemp President said “Otherwise we cannot be borrowing money and wasting money Like that.

“You know everyone is complaining that we borrowed so much money but we are destroying money now under UPND,” he stated.