Govt apologises for delays in wool farmers’ payments

MAMELLO SEBATANE

Maseru – The Ministry of Small Business Development, Cooperatives and Marketing has apologised to wool farmers over government’s failure to pay them by April 7, 2021 as promised.

However, it has guaranteed the farmers that the ministry will later this week announce the exact date when the funds will reflect in farmers’ accounts.

Up to 759 payment vouchers have been processed for payment and the ministry is awaiting the contract to return from the Ministry of Finance.

In a statement issued today, the ministry said cabinet approved allocation of M10, 530,766.00 on April 6, 2021.

Since the Ministry of Finance has already received payment vouchers of Standard Lesotho Bank, Lesotho Post Bank, First National Bank to disburse the funds payments for some farmers will soon be made.

However, up to 1 810 farmers without bank accounts, or whose accounts are inactive or closed will be paid directly through their respective shearing sheds.