Friday, 18^th February, 2022

 

The House met at 0900 hours

 

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

 

_______

 

ANNOUNCEMENT BY MADAM SPEAKER

 

ACTING LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I have received communication to the effect that the Minister of Defence, Hon. Ambrose Lufuma, MP, has been appointed Acting Leader of Government Business in the House from today, Friday, 18^th February, 2022, until further notice.

 

Thank you.

 

_______

 

BUSINESS OF THE HOUSE

 

The Acting Chief Whip (Mr Jamba): Madam Speaker, I rise to acquaint the House with the business it will consider next week.

 

Madam Speaker, on Tuesday, 22^nd February, 2022, the Business of the House will commence with Questions for Oral Answer. That will be followed by the presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any.

 

Madam, on Wednesday, 23^rd February, 2022, the Business of the House will start with Questions for Oral Answer. Thereafter, the House will consider Private Members’ Motions, if there will be any. After that, the House will deal with the presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any.

 

Madam Speaker, on Thursday, 24^th February, 2022, the Business of the House will begin with Questions for Oral Answer. That will be followed by the presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any.

 

Madam, on Friday, 25^th February, 2022, the Business of the House will commence with The Vice-President’s Question Time. That will be followed by Questions for Oral Answer. The House will then consider the presentation of Government Bills, if there will be any.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

_______

 

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

 

ESTABLISHMENT OF LINKAGES

 

166. Mr Katakwe (Solwezi East) asked the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development what measures the Government is taking to establish linkages between Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and the following institutions, to accelerate the growth of SMEs:

 

1. banks;
2. the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority;
3. the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission; and
4. the Zambia Development Agency.

 

The Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (Mr Mubanga): Madam Speaker, the Government is engaging with the commercial banks to create products tailor made for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). The agreements will provide for the Government to recommend SMEs ready to access financial services from the banks. One of the challenges hindering SMEs from accessing financial support from commercial banks is the lack of business skills. Therefore, the agreements will enable the Government to partner with commercial banks to equip SMEs with the required business skills.

 

Madam Speaker, the Government has developed programmes that will enable Technical Education Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) institutions introduce business skills in all their courses. In addition, the programme will provide a system for linking graduates from TEVET institutions intending to establish their own businesses to empowerment schemes.

 

Madam Speaker, the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) is a statutory institution under my ministry. The functions of the CEEC as defined under the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission Act are related to three main areas, namely empowerment, skills development and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) development. The Government will, therefore, enhance the capacity of the CEEC to perform its functions of supporting the growth of SMEs. The Government has increased the empowerment fund under the CEEC to K350 million in the 2022 Budget from K41 million in the 2021 Budget. Further, the Government has put a priority on reviewing the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission Act to address the weaknesses that hinder the empowerment of SMEs.

 

Madam Speaker, the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry. One of the functions of the agency is enterprise development. This is done through the provision of business development services categorised as business incubation and business acceleration. To access these services, SMEs are required to register with the ZDA. We are working with the ZDA to implement business development and business incubation programmes for the benefit of SMEs.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Chaatila (Moomba): Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister able to indicate to us the names of the commercial banks which have been engaged and the coverage in terms of being present in various locations or where they are found.

 

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, my ministry has engaged all the banks. For example, we have engaged Indo-Zambia Bank and it has already offloaded K500 million into the market and SMEs are free to access that money. They can come to my ministry, so, we can chat and link them to the bank to access that funding.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Katakwe: Madam Speaker, thank you very much for according the people of Solwezi East an opportunity to ask a follow-up question.

 

Madam Speaker, what mechanism has been put in place to ensure that this information that the hon. Minister has just given out is disseminated out there to the public, so that the people in my constituency, which is rural, can actually access the information in its basic state for them to understand and be able to apply to the various commercial banks and also the Technical Education Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training (TEVET) institutions that have been mentioned?

 

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, first and foremost, my ministry has an information desk and we will have programmes on radio and television. I also move around as Minister and I chat with members of the public. We will soon go to the North-Western Province and the hon. Member of Parliament –

 

Interruptions

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

The hon. Members who are chatting and laughing, please, can we have some order.

 

Proceed, hon. Minister.

 

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, I will soon visit the hon. Member’s constituency and province and will chat with the people.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mutinta (Itezhi-Tezhi): Madam Speaker, my question is on decentralisation. I strongly feel that perhaps the method the hon. Minister has mentioned might not trickle down to the rural most area. Does the hon. Minister have intentions to decentralise his ministry to all the districts or constituencies in Zambia so that information can be accessed easily?

 

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, let me be very clear that my ministry is in all the 116 districts in this country. Those under my ministry in all those districts will come to Lusaka and we will have a workshop with them. My ministry will give them transport so that they can reach out to our people throughout the country.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North): Madam Speaker, thank you for according Chama North Constituency an opportunity to ask a question.

 

Madam Speaker, I am alive to the fact that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) face enormous challenges and that is why they are not growing. So, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether there are plans to decentralise the operations of the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) because the certification of products has become a problem for SMEs.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Chama North, the Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) is not appearing on the question. So, I do not know where you have gotten the ZABS.

 

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Madam Speaker, I want to express a similar view to what others have stated. The Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprise Development is very important or cardinal. So, its creation brought joy to many of us in rural areas. The hon. Minister gave an example of Indo-Zambia Bank being one of the banks the ministry interacted with and that it will disburse the funds to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). What effort, through the ministry, has Indo-Zambia Bank made to ensure that youths or entrepreneurs in rural areas seek these loans? Can the hon. Minister highlight those efforts so that the people in rural areas get that knowledge and make use of it.

 

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, we just concluded our talks and we reached an agreement with the bank, and as I said, we will be on radio and television to try and inform the nation. The hon. Member may also wish to note that, as a ministry, we are also in his district. Our staff there will be able to sensitise all the members of the public in his district or constituency.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Simushi (Sikongo): Madam Speaker, one of the challenges that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) face in this country to access financing from commercial banks is that of collateral. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister what mechanisms have been put in place this time around to enable SMEs access loans from commercial banks in light of the collateral that these banks often ask for.

 

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, two days ago, on the Floor of the House, I said that there is no collateral agreement involved for the first K20,000 in the agreement we made, for example, with Indo-Zambia Bank. So, SMEs can access those funds without any surety at all. I had a chat and meeting with my fellow Cabinet Ministers, Hon. Nkombo and Hon. Situmbeko Musokotwane, and when we engaged the banks, we told them to come up with a very soft package for SMEs. We will soon announce this package to the SMEs. So, people should just wait.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mapani (Namwala): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated that he intends to visit some parts of this country. What time frame or what kind of notice has he given the people in the areas he intends to visit, so that everyone gets to meet him and get the information that he has?

 

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, I have just toured two provinces, Muchinga Province and the Southern Province. My programme is clear and I will inform the House. Before the end of the year, I would have visited all the provinces.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Wamunyima (Nalolo): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving the good people of Nalolo an opportunity to ask a question.

 

Madam Speaker, having worked with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) for some time, there has been no success story of an SME to bank relationship because of the interest rates by the banks, which are subject to control by the central bank. How does this new relationship that has been embarked on with the banks give a glimpse of hope as a different narrative to what we have seen in the last ten years because we have had so many packages? How is the ministry going to cushion this? Is it also providing invoice financing at a low interest rate?

 

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, yes, it is true that it has been very difficult for SMEs to access financing from institutions, especially banks. That is why we engaged the banks and told them to come up with a package, which should have low interest rates for our SMEs to access the funds. I think the hon. Member heard what I am talking about and we are quite serious as the New Dawn Government and everything should be new. That is why His Excellency the President created the ministry to emphasise the SMEs’ participation in the growth of the economy. This time, things will be done differently and we will see more SMEs accessing money from the banks.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker gave the Floor to Mr Kapyanga.

 

Madam Speaker: If he is not available, the hon. Member for Bwacha.

 

Mr Mushanga was inaudible.

 

Madam Speaker: It appears both hon. Members are not available.

 

Mr Mushanga (Bwacha): Am I audible, Madam Speaker?

 

Madam Speaker: Well, somehow. Proceed, let us see if we can hear you. Is that the hon. Member for Bwacha or the hon. Member for Mpika Central?

 

Mr Mushanga: Madam Speaker, Member for Bwacha.

 

Madam Speaker: Proceed, hon. Member.

 

Mr Mushanga: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the responses so far.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated that the ministry is in all the 116 districts. Can he kindly indicate where the office in Kabwe District is and when did Indo Zambia Bank offload the K500 million on the market for SMEs to access?

 

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, let me be very clear here. The co-operative division, which was in the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry, moved to my ministry. So, all those who were working under that division are under my ministry and we have staff in all the districts. The SMEs in Kabwe should go and see the District Commissioner (DC) in Kabwe and she will be able to tell them where the ministry is located.

Madam Speaker, as regards to SMEs accessing loans  from Indo Zambia Bank, I will come and issue a statement in the House on what happened and where we are, but SMEs in Kabwe can access the loans even through Indo Zambia Bank in Kabwe. They can pass through our office in Kabwe because the ministry needs to know what they want to do. We will give them some knowledge, mentor them and look at what they want to do. SMEs will not just be given loans without any trace of what they want to do. Otherwise, empowerment will not be achieved.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

CHIUNDAPONDE/MUWELE ROAD PROJECT

167. Ms Mabonga (Mfuwe) asked the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development:

(a)        why the rehabilitation of the Chiundaponde/Muwele Road in Mfuwe Parliamentary Constituency has stalled;

(b)        when the project will resume; and

(c)        what the cost of the outstanding works is.

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development (Mr Nkombo): Madam Speaker, the rehabilitation of the Chiundaponde/Muwele Road in Mfuwe Parliamentary Constituency has stalled, due to financial constraints.

 

Madam Speaker, the project shall resume as soon as funds are made available in the budget.

 

Madam Speaker, the cost of the outstanding works stands at K44,178,693,97.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Ms Mabonga: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for the response.

Madam Speaker, the people of Mfuwe get cut off during the rainy season and they depend on this road when transporting goods. Muwele is a fishing camp and over 20,000 people live there, but this time around, one cannot go to Muwele. My follow-up question is: What is the total value of the works that have been done and the payments that have been made so far?

 

Mr Nkombo: Madam Speaker, I want to confirm that the Government attaches a lot of importance to the connectivity of this country and I regret sincerely if the people of Muwele have been cut off. However, in response to the hon. Member’s question, K19,664,566.22, had been certified for works that were done by a company called Teso Works and Supply, a company which was engaged as the contractor at a sum of K88,267,870.42. I am not in a position at the moment to tell the hon. Member how much Teso Works and Supply, a company that was engaged as the contractor, has been paid so far. I am afraid I do not have that information at the tip of my finger, but in the next thirty minutes, I can tell the hon. Member if at all any money was paid to Teso Works and Supply.

 

Madam Speaker, let me take advantage of this platform to indicate to hon. Members of Parliament that should they have an experience such as the one my colleague from Mfuwe has just explained vis-à-vis the threat of cut off, they should inform us as quickly as possible so that we can respond to the need to put up crossing points only, under a Vote under the Ministry of Finance and National Planning or the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), which money if provided, will be deducted from the Interim Payment Certificates ( IPCs) that have been given by the contractors. We will do our best to make sure that this is mitigated. The hon. Member’s colleague from Chadiza presented a problem of this same nature yesterday to my office and we are trying our very best to ameliorate it.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that, as usual, eloquent and articulate response.

 

Madam Speaker, the people of Zambia voted for the New Dawn Government because His Excellency, President Hakainde Hichilema, demonstrated the ability and skill in terms of resolving the financial challenges this country is going through. That is one of the reasons the Zambian people voted for the New Dawn Government. My question, Madam Speaker, is –

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member for Chama South, please, ask your supplementary question. It is not the time to debate.

 

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, my follow-up question is: When does the hon. Minister think the New Dawn Government will resolve the financial challenges so that the projects which have stalled can be completed because we were promised that this is the easiest thing it will ever work on? Will it take two, three or four years? Is the hon. Minister in a position to tell not only the people of Muwele and Chiundaponde but the entire country where projects have stalled how long the New Dawn Government will take to resolve the financial challenges so that our people can start planning for the easy flow of goods and services?

 

Madam Speaker: The type of question that is always asked gets a specific answer.

 

Mr Nkombo: Madam Speaker, I appreciate the accolades from my colleague, the hon. Member of Parliament for Chama South. I, indeed, can confirm that he is asking this question from an innocent point of view.

 

Madam Speaker, in the last meeting, I brought out details on how against a budget of K300 million last year, about K13 billion of contracts were signed, which is very anomalous. Further, I informed the country, through Parliament, that of the very miniature budgetary allocations such as K300 million, we were sitting on IPCs for work done by contractors, in inverted commas, to a tune of K3.5 billion. I can confirm that after updating the database, the IPCs now sit at K4.1 billion. How in the world can one make a payment against a budget of K300 million and K4 billion? Even magic cannot do it.

 

Madam Speaker, to answer the hon. Member’s question, our Administration has embarked on a programme of prudent management of resources by not contracting any further debt until we attend to the current debt that the Patriotic Front (PF) Party created for this country. That is fundamental and we should not forget that.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Nkombo: Without getting personal, some colleagues understand what I am talking about. Some political players used this ministry that I run as a conduit to siphon money from the Treasury for personal good. We have done a full audit, which some members of the hon. Member’s party have demonised, even if we did this audit pro bono or free of charge, to help us determine the extent of the damage that was caused by those who were superintending the affairs of this ministry that I run today, and I can confirm that there is complete malaise. So, to answer the hon. Member’s question, we will cross the bridge when we get there. For now, we must respond to such cases as encumbered crossing points on feeder roads because our Zambian people must continue to enjoy the freedom of movement.

 

Madam Speaker, in terms of when specifically we will get to the green from the red in the balance sheet that our colleagues left for us, I can confirm that, we, as a Government, have presented a programme to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), something that the PF Party was paranoid to do for very long time. All this is meant to bring our balance sheet from the red to the green. After that, I assure the hon. Member, my brother and friend, that he will be laughing because, then, we would have gotten over the debt mountain that they created for the Zambian people.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam Speaker: That confirms my observation.

 

Mr Sampa (Matero): Madam Speaker, I note that at the end, the hon. Minister was essentially blaming his predecessors for having used his ministry as a conduit for theft. We have heard that over the last six months, but when does he plan to arrest the said culprits, if at all they do exist?

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member for Matero, you are out of order.

 

Laughter

 

Eng. Mabenga (Mulobezi): Madam Speaker, greetings from the good people of Mulobezi.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam Speaker: Can we have some order! We want to make progress.

 

PROHIBITION OF INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS FROM PRESCRIBING

EXPIRY DATES

 

168. Eng. Mabenga asked the Minister of Technology and Science:

 

(a)        whether the Government has any plans to prohibit internet service providers from prescribing expiry dates for internet bundles purchased by customers;

 

(b)        if so, when the plans will be implemented;

 

(c)        whether the prohibition will be extended to airtime minutes; and

 

(d)        if there are no such plans, why.

 

The Minister of Technology and Science (Mr Mutati): Madam Speaker, in July 2019, a Motion was adopted in Parliament regarding the expiry of data bundles. Following an extensive industrial engagement by both the authority and the ministry responsible for communication, it was resolved that the parliamentary resolution on the expiry of data bundles would be adopted by introducing additional data bundle options with no expiry dates. This would subsist along with the existing data bundles with validity periods on the market in order to offer customers a wide variety of options to suit their unique usage patterns.

All the three mobile network operators currently provide these options to customers. This initiative preserved the affordability benefit associated with bundled offers with the prescribed time for usage as well as provided the option for the customer to have bundles that have longer validity and for those that do not expire.

 

Madam Speaker, the implementation of the parliamentary resolution in this manner took into account the fact that bundles with longer validity periods would be costlier and would ultimately lead to an increased cost of bundles for consumers. Therefore, in order to maintain affordability while still complying with the Parliamentary Motion, the additional options with no expiry were introduced at a cost reflective price while still maintaining the existing bundles with validity periods that have proved to be more flexible and affordable.

 

Madam Speaker, the House may wish to note that by February 2020, all mobile internet service providers had implemented the additional bundles with no expiry alongside existing bundles with validity periods. To compliment this measure, longer validity options such as three months and six months are also available to customers. This measure was in line with the business models adopted by the providers of the services who also contract bandwidth capacity from abroad tied to prescribed time periods.

 

Madam Speaker, there are currently three options for daily, weekly and monthly offers for airtime. There is also an option for pay as you go, where the customer can opt to consume the services directly without reference to a validity period provided; they have funds or airtime in their main account. As observed from the consumption patterns in data bundles, the uptake of these offers with longer validity is lower as they are often costlier. The operators are willing to make more extensive offers even on airtime minutes in response to the changing demanding patterns by the users.

 

Madam Speaker, following the industry engagement and further investigations carried out by the Zambia Information Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA), it was observed that the uptake of bundles with a validity period beyond thirty days was extremely low. It was further observed that bundles with longer validity periods were more expensive given the need to allocate resources such as bandwidth, which is procured on a monthly basis for a prolonged period of time.

 

Madam Speaker, against this background, it was noted that prohibiting the expiry period would be costlier to the customers. Therefore, there is currently no immediate plan to apply the prohibition as the current bundled packages offer a combination of flexibility, affordability and predictability in the utilisation of communication services.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Sing’ombe: On a point of order, Madam.

 

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Sing’ombe: Madam Speaker, my point of order is premised on whether the House was in order to not allow the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development to answer the question posed by the hon. Member for Matero, as to when those who stole from this Government were going to be arrested.

 

Madam Speaker: That was the decision of the Presiding Officer. You cannot raise a point of order on the Presiding Officer. Just for your information, hon. Member, the issue of arresting the so-called plunderers of the economy did not arise in Question No. 167. Question No. 167 was talking about the rehabilitation of the Chiundaponde/Muwele Road in Mfuwe Parliamentary Constituency. Where in that question does the issue of arresting plunderers arise?

 

Hon. Member for Dundumwezi, you are, therefore, out of order.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Rev. Katuta (Chienge): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the answers he has given.

 

Madam Speaker, I am very sad person having heard the hon. Minister say that service providers offer flexibility and other terms to the Zambians, while in the actual sense, they have been ‘stealing’ from the Zambians.

 

Madam Speaker –

 

Madam Speaker: The word ‘stealing’ is unparliamentary, hon. Member.

 

Rev. Katuta: Madam Speaker, they have been plundering the Zambians’ pockets.

 

Madam Speaker, why would the hon. Minister say that service providers have been a bit flexible when Zambians are complaining of the poor services that they give? When calls drop, people are charged. When the internet fails, one is still charged. So, I wonder why the service providers are saying that they have been kind to us. Why did the hon. Minister say that they have been kind to us when they are plundering the Zambians?

 

Mr Mutati: Madam Speaker, the question focused on the expiry date of the bundles and the flexibility that was referred to in this question was that a number of options were given to allow customers who want to enjoy extended periods, and that was the main focus of the question.

 

Madam Speaker, the three issues we are tackling now are the quality of the service being provided, the experience, and much more importantly, the issue of affordability. We have introduced penalties for service providers who cause inconvenience and discomfort to consumers and we will do more.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Chaatila (Moomba): Madam Speaker, it is, indeed, very sad to note that the services being provided by service providers are very bad, and I totally agree with the hon. Member for Chienge. However, my question is premised on the issue of bundles. Previously, service providers would send messages to subscribers indicating that data bundles would expiry maybe in the next two days and when one bought bundles, whatever was left would be carried over. However, what we now experiencing is the poor service we are talking about. Most of the time, service providers do not send text messages using the Short Message Service (SMS) to subscribers. One just gets surprised when one discovers they have ‘eaten’ one’s talk time and it is gone, and that is the aspect we are talking about. Service providers are now ‘eating’ our little resources that we work for. Why have service providers stopped sending messages? Zambians should continue benefiting the way it was before.

 

Mr Mutati: Madam Speaker, that question borders on the quality of service that is being provided. I think it is a pertinent question that messages are no longer being sent by service providers, and as a ministry, we are going to investigate that and take appropriate measures.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Mr Katakwe: Madam Speaker, were mobile phone service providers also used as a conduit to siphon money from the Zambian people? Considering the punitive measure the hon. Minister mentioned, does he intend to arrest these – for lack of a better term – criminals?

 

Madam Speaker: Withdraw the word ‘criminals’.

 

Mr Katakwe: Madam Speaker, I withdraw the word ‘criminals’ and replace it with ‘plunderers’.

 

Madam Speaker: The hon. Minister will only answer the first question. Only one question per hon. Member is allowed.

 

Mr Mutati: Madam Speaker, the main issue is for the ministry to investigate the issues that the hon. Member has raised. Once we have investigated, we will take appropriate action and advise the nature of those actions.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Kasandwe (Bangweulu): Madam Speaker, I followed the answer given by the hon. Minister for the first part of the question. What the Parliament of Zambia through the parliamentarians resolved was that the Government should ban service providers from selling internet bundles that expire. In his answer, the only argument the hon. Minister has given to this House is that cheaper internet bundles expire but those which are expensive are timeless or do not expire. Following the resolution of Parliament, it appears the Government had negotiations with the service providers, while the parliamentarians urged it to completely ban the selling of internet bundles that expire in Zambia. When is the ministry going to implement this decision by Parliament to completely ban internet bundles that expire on the Zambian market?

 

Mr Mutati: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that pertinent question.

 

Madam Speaker, customers needed flexibility in terms of the expiring of internet bundles. That is why we offered the customers options to choose what they needed in terms of expiry of internet bundles. So, there are internet bundles that expire and, then, there are three options of internet bundles that do not expire. So, it is up to the customer to make that choice.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Mr Lubozha (Chifubu): Madam Speaker, Parliament sat to protect Zambians against the unfair treatment of the expiration of data bundles. Today, when the hon. Member asked the hon. Minister what the ministry is doing to protect Zambians, he explained on the Floor of the House the options that the exploiters of the Zambian people have put in place. We want to hear from the hon. Minister what the ministry is doing in compliance with what the law that was enacted in Parliament says to protect the Zambian people. What measures is the ministry taking into consideration to protect the Zambian people against the unfair treatment by the service providers?

 

Mr Mutati: Madam Speaker, in answering part (a), which is the question that the hon. Member has raised, I said as follows:

 

“Following an extensive industrial engagement by both the authority and the ministry responsible for communication, it was resolved that the parliamentary resolution on the expiry of data bundles would be adopted by introducing additional options.”

 

Madam Speaker, so, what we did was introduce additional options.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Mr Wamunyima: Madam Speaker, the same matter was raised in the life of the previous Parliament two years ago. The spirit of the issue is that when internet bundles expire, for example, today, and one has not exhausted them, one cannot use them because they have expired. In short, one may not have had time to use those internet bundles.

 

Madam Speaker, the regulating department in the ministry is the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA). How often is the ministry reviewing the legitimacy of the operations of mobile phone service providers, especially on how they are issuing internet bundles? We have a situation where we buy internet bundles meant for a week every day, or those meant for a month every week. How often is the ministry reviewing this issue to ensure that this situation is not a rip off?

 

Mr Mutati: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that important question.

 

Madam Speaker, ZICTA reviews a number of issues, including the expiry of internet bundles on a continuous basis. What we may have to ascertain as a ministry is whether that exercise is being done effectively to create customer convenience and we will do that.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Chitotela (Pambashe): Madam Speaker, the House sat before the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) started to discuss the Motion on this issue which was moved then by the hon. Member of Parliament for Senga Hill and seconded by Prof. Lungwangwa. The House resolved to create a ban on internet bundles expiring, bearing in mind the suffering of the Zambian people. The people were complaining about this issue and urged the State to speak to mobile phone service providers. Later on, a statement was issued. The concern of the Zambian people and the hon. Members of Parliament is that today, with the advent of the COVID-19, business is usually done online.

 

Madam Speaker, the option being given is inhibiting business because even if we buy bundles for K500 and K1,000, after thirty days, the bundles expire. Can the hon. Minister go back and engage the service providers because they are making more money since business is now being done through the electronic platform, which is the use of bundles. Parliament urged the Government to stop the expiration of data bundles and it accepted. What difficulties did the Government have for it to negotiate the options against the resolution of Parliament?

 

Mr Mutati: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that important question.

 

Madam Speaker, the ministry will take responsibility to try and review this matter for the sake of the customers. We shall re-engage the mobile providers so that we can have a conclusive position that reflects customer desire.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Madam Speaker, I have listened very attentively to the answers that the hon. Minister has given. However, I am interested to hear the challenges that service providers have in view of non expiry of bundles. What problems are they facing such that they cannot implement the non expiry of the internet bundles so that we can understand why it is not possible to have non expiry of bundles?

 

Mr Mutati: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that important question.

 

Madam Speaker, I said that we are going to take responsibility for this. However, in terms of the challenges the service providers face, one of them is the allocation of bandwidth which is a cost. Once you allocate space for usage and it is not being used, it is a cost on the service provider. So, we have to balance the utilisation capacity and the expiry of the bundles, and we are going to meet the service providers in that regard.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

RESTOCKING OF LAKE BANGWEULU

 

169. Mr Fube (Chilubi) asked the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock:

 

1. whether the Government has any plans to restock Lake Bangweulu with local fish species;
2. if so, when the plans will be implemented; and
3. what the estimated cost of the restocking programme is.

 

The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock (Mr Chikote): Madam Speaker, the Government at the moment has no plans to restock Lake Bangweulu with local fish species.

 

Madam Speaker, since the Government does not have immediate plans to restock Lake Bangweulu, part (b) falls off.

 

Madam Speaker, part (c) also falls off since the Government does not have any plans to restock Lake Bangweulu.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker,

 

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister said that the Government has no plans to restock Lake Bangweulu with the local fish species. However, he did not explain further as to why the Government cannot restock Lake Bangweulu with the local fish species?

 

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, the reason we cannot restock Lake Bangweulu is because there are sustainable measures to restock the fish. The best way we can restock Lake Bangweulu is using the ecosystem approach, which is very sustainable. We cannot just go and restock fish in the lake because that system can only work very well where there is only one species of fish. Where there are several species of fish, it becomes a big challenge in terms of restocking the lake. Hence, we have put in place measures that our communities can use to replenish the lake such as identifying breeding centres. When that is done, we will allow our fish to produce. We are also trying to promote aquaculture because that is one way we can enhance production in the lake. We have also engaged our stakeholders such as management committees and they have also become part and parcel of how we can manage our fish resources in Lake Bangweulu to make sure that production is enhanced.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, firstly, I want to indicate that the people of Chilubi are shocked by that casual answer by the hon. Minister. The hon. Minister talked about the ecosystem approach, which is not in place or nowhere in sight. He also talked about sustainable measures but the ministry has not put in place any sustainable measures and it is not even encouraging aquaculture. I am a fish farmer and I am just encouraging myself. Is the hon. Minister saying that in the five year term that they have, they do not intend to restock fish in Lake Bangweulu?

 

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, it is really unfortunate that the hon. Member has not been following my responses. Firstly, I said that the most appropriate and sustainable way of replenishing Lake Bangweulu is to identify breeding centres in the lake, which are going to be demarcated and protected to ensure that fish produces in a very conducive environment. Secondly, I said that the New Dawn Government is promoting aquaculture and the hon. Member is aware that we are on course. The hon. Member said that the people of Chilubi are shocked; it is not the people of Chilubi who are shocked but himself ...

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chikote: … because the New Dawn Government is on course. We are promoting aquaculture hence we are even encouraging private partners to get involved in fingerling production. So, I encourage the people of Chilubi to do that to ensure that we replenish our fishes which have depleted in Lake Bangweulu. The only message I have for the hon. Members is that they should adhere to the expert guidelines because we are encouraging our people to follow the underlined guidelines to make sure that our fish have room to breed more. That is why we came up with measures such as fish bans to allow our fish reproduce to enhance production.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. UPND Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Madam Speaker, for your own information, I know that the Member for Luampa, who is also the hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, enjoys the local breed of fish.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Chama South, order!

 

Please, ask your supplementary question.

 

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, can the hon. Minister confirm to the people of Chilubi and the community in Bangweulu that the local species have completely depleted in Lake Bangweulu? Can he also confirm that the fish that breeds naturally –

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

An hon. Member is only allowed to ask one question so that many hon. Members can ask questions.

 

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, yes, I can confirm that fishes have depleted in our natural water bodies, especially in Lake Bangweulu. We no longer talk of the so-called breams because they are not there. The hon. Member asked me to confirm and, yes, I can confirm that our fishes have depleted in Lake Bangweulu hence we are trying to promote aquaculture to enhance production.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, according to the hon. Minister, I am representing myself and not the people of Chilubi. Can the hon. Minister indicate how many aquaculture initiatives the Government is implementing in Chilubi?

 

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, the New Dawn Government will not do programmes haphazardly. Firstly, the New Dawn Government is implementing capacity building programmes because our people have to understand how they are going to invest in aquaculture and our extension officers are implementing these programmes in the districts. So, at the moment, we are carrying out capacity building because our people first have to understand aquaculture. So, we are not doing things haphazardly and the New Dawn Government is on course. If the hon. Member for Chilubi is behind with information, I invite him to my office so he can understand what this New Dawn Government of His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, is doing.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Lubozha (Chifubu): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for his answers.

 

Madam Speaker, one of the methods the ministry will use to replenish fish in the lake is through natural breeding but Lake Bangweulu is one of the fishing centres in our country. Does the ministry have any future plans to restock the lake at a faster rate than the normal natural method?

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Chifubu, that question was answered.

 

Mr Kasandwe (Bangweulu): Madam Speaker, thank you for the opportunity to ask a question.

 

Madam Speaker, when Hon. Miyutu asked the hon. Minister to tell the House why the Government had no plans to restock Lake Bangweulu with natural fish species, he said that they cannot restock because there are several types of fish species in Lake Bangweulu. In another vein, the hon. Minister said it is because they want to identify breeding areas. Breeding areas have always been there since that lake was created and one of the ways to restock the natural species is simply –

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Bangweulu, please, ask you supplementary question.

 

Mr Kasandwe: Madam Speaker, with your indulgence, some supplementary questions need to be put in context so that the hon. Minster is given more information to respond to questions because –

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, as long as the context does not take a lot of time.

 

Mr Kasandwe: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister said that they cannot restock because there are so many species in the lake. In another vein, he said they are identifying breeding areas. One way of restocking is restocking the breeding areas because each species has its own breeding area. Different types of –

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member, are you answering your own question?

 

Mr Kasandwe: No, I am not answering Madam Speaker. I am just –

 

Madam Speaker: Then hon. Member, ask your supplementary question. Do not debate.

 

Mr Kasandwe: Madam Speaker, does the hon. Minister not know that one way of restocking the lake with natural species is simply by restocking using the breeding areas because each fish species has its breeding area?

 

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Bangweulu for that question.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member should get me very clearly. The whole essence of restocking Lake Bangweulu is because our fish has depleted and I said that one of the interventions of making sure that our fish reproduce and enhance production is by identifying and protecting breeding centres to give them room to produce. That was one of the interventions I stated.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member asked why the Government cannot restock Lake Bangweulu, but there are some challenges. We cannot just rush and start restocking in the lake because doing so can in the long run affect other species. You can only restock in a place if you only have one type of species. You cannot restock in the lake where there are other species. That is what I explained. So, our experts once tried the restocking programme in Lake Mweru Wantipa in 2005 and 2009, but it did not yield any results. There were so many negatives compared to the positive results which were supposed to be yield. So, from the expert knowledge, we have seen that it is not necessary to restock where there are several types of species. Hence, we have put in place measures to make sure that – the other way we can improve production in Lake Bangweulu is by engaging the communities, and managing the breeding centres and protecting them to give room for the fish to produce.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Rev. Katuta: Madam Speaker, I thank Hon. Chikote for the answers that he has given.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister talked of educating our people. I grew up in an area where my father was a fisherman. Since at the moment the Government does not have the capacity to carry out restocking, are individual hon. Members, like the hon. Member for Chilubi, allowed to engage the private sector and to use the fish cage method and other methods to carry out restocking in Lake Bangweulu?

 

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, I even said that the hon. Member is welcome to my office to get the details on how we are going to promote aquaculture. That is the first statement I made. The hon. Member can only be given the leeway after he gets the proper information that he will use in his constituency. I invite the hon. Member to my office so that he understands as he represents the good people of Chilubi. He should come to the office to understand these things in detail.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, we saw the reactions of the hon. Minister of Energy and the hon. Minister for Luapula Province when the hon. Minister was responding to the questions because they understand that it is a very sensitive subject for the people of Bangweulu. So, I implore him to be bit calm because people are listening.

 

Madam Speaker, from experience, the previous Government procured fish cages and it destroyed all of them because we did not do a research. So, I would like the hon. Minister to pay particular attention to the questions because this subject concerning the Bangweulu wetland and Bangweulu water bodies is very sensitive, and I appeal to him to engage more. Is the hon. Member able to engage his staff so that they can go and speak to the people of Bangweulu about the things that will help them because their livelihood is dependent on those water bodies?

 

Mr Mwila (Mufulira): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the answers that he has given.

 

Madam Speaker, my question is about restocking of the local species and I take note of the measures that the hon. Minister has outlined. However, it is suffice to say that previous Governments put in place some of those measures such as promoting aquaculture and the fish ban, but we still see a continuous dwindling of the local species and the people would like to know what else this Government will do differently to improve the production of the local species. My question is: Since the Government does not have plans to restock Lake Bangweulu with the local species, does it plan to restock other water bodies with the local species?

 

Madam Speaker: The hon. Minister has invited hon. Members with an interest on this subject to visit him and learn more.

 

Ms Mabonga: Madam Speaker, just like other hon. Members of Parliament have stated, the issue of Lake Bangweulu is very sensitive. Mfuwe is also part of Bangweulu and most of my people depend on the fish in Bangweulu.

 

Madam Speaker, does the hon. Minister not think that it will be cheaper for the Government to restock than to promote aquaculture because the water bodies are already available? We also know that with aquaculture, people may be required to construct fish ponds, which will be an extra cost, unlike just restocking the water bodies that are already available.

 

Madam Speaker: In the like manner, I encourage the hon. Member for Mfuwe to engage the hon. Minister of Fisheries and Livestock to discuss this matter further.

 

Mr Mutale: On a point of order, Madam.

 

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Mutale: Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order after having listened very attentively to the hon. Minister who when he was responding to questions, he invited hon. Members of Parliament to his office.

 

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister in order to invite hon. Members of Parliament to his office when this question which has been posed to him passed all the relevant requisitions or requirements under Clause 71 of our Standing Orders and it has been admitted to the Floor of the House? Is he in order to not give us answers so that those things that he wants to go and explain to the hon. Members are known by the whole nation? Is he in order to invite hon. Members of Parliament to his office?

 

I need your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Chitambo, the hon. Minister attempted to answer the question. He explained and the same issues were being repeated over and over, and that is why he invited hon. Members who are interested to go and visit him. The other option is for the hon. Minister to render a ministerial statement on the matter. So, the hon. Minister is in order to engage hon. Members of Parliament. It is a public office. All hon. Members of Parliament are welcome to visit any hon. Minister and engage that hon. Minister on any subject that they would want clarification on and where they are not clear. From my assessment of the questions that have been asked, it appears hon. Members have no questions of clarification concerning the plans. If the plans are not clear, maybe, it is better to engage on a one-to-one basis. So, the hon. Minister is in order to invite hon. Members. Those who do not want, it is their fault.

 

Laughter

 

CONSTRUCTION OF THE MONZE/NIKO ROAD

 

170. Mr Mapani (Namwala) asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

 

1. what the progress, in percentage terms, on the construction of the Monze/Niko Road in the Southern Province was, as of September, 2021;
2. why the construction works have stalled;
3. when the project will resume;
4. what the cost of the outstanding works is; and
5. what the timeframe for the completion of the outstanding works is.

 

The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi): Madam Speaker, as of September 2021, 55 per cent progress had been recorded on the Monze/Niko Road Project in the Southern Province.

 

Madam Speaker, the construction of the Monze/Niko Road has stalled due to funding constraints.

 

Madam Speaker, the project will resume in 2022 as it has been budgeted for in the 2022 Annual Work Plan.

 

Madam Speaker, the cost of the outstanding works based on the original contract sum was K232,024,030.18.

 

Madam Speaker, the outstanding works are scheduled for completion twelve months after the time of resuming.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Namwala, any supplementary question?

 

Mr Mapani: Madam Speaker, I do not have any. Everything has been put straight.

 

Ms Nakaponda (Isoka): Madam Speaker, greetings from the people of Isoka.

 

CONSTRUCTION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL IN NKOMBWA WARD

 

171. Ms Nakaponda asked the Minister of Education:

 

1. whether the Government has any plans to construct a secondary school in Nkombwa Ward in Isoka Parliamentary Constituency;
2. if so, when the plans will be implemented; and
3. if there are no such plans, why.

 

The Minister of Education (Mr Syakalima): Madam Speaker, yes, the Government plans to construct secondary schools countrywide and Nkombwa Ward in Isoka Parliamentary Constituency is no exception.

 

Madam Speaker, the plans to construct secondary schools will commence in 2022 and will be implemented under the Zambia Education Enhancement Project (ZEEP) over a period of five years.

 

Madam Speaker, on account of the response in (a), question (c) falls off.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Ms Nakaponda: Madam Speaker, I just want to inform the hon. Minister that the children in Nkombwa Ward walk long distances when going to the nearest secondary schools. So, the ministry should start constructing this school this year.

 

Madam Speaker: From the answer the hon. Minister gave, the works will start in 2022, which is this year.

 

Mr Chala (Chipili): Madam Speaker, are the secondary schools that will be built be boarding schools? I have asked this because in rural areas like Chipili where I come from, villages are scattered. One has to walk for 2 km to find another village. So, if the Government puts up day schools, then, our people in rural areas will not benefit as such. What is the hon. Minister’s comment on that, so that he considers constructing boarding schools in rural constituencies instead of day schools?

 

Madam Speaker: You are now expanding the question.

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, if there are only day schools in his area, I encourage the hon. Member to use the Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

 

Madam Speaker, let me speak about the issue, which I have talked about, regarding the 115 schools. The stalled 115 schools were intended to be boarding secondary schools for the girl child. The other time, I said it was unacceptable for the Patriotic Front (PF) Government to stall the construction of the 115 secondary schools with boarding facilities, when girl children are getting pregnant almost every time. This is not a blame game. We have to say things the way they are.

 

Madam Speaker, I do not know when this question came, and I am now referring to Madam Nakaponda because the question was directly from her.

 

Madam Speaker, as for the issue of boarding schools, which my other colleague talked about, I encourage hon. Members to use the CDF to construct a boarding secondary school, where there is none, before the Government comes, after all the CDF is from the Government anyway. Hon. Members can try to do that to protect the girl child. The recklessness we saw in the PF must never repeat itself.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Syakalima: Ba Nakaponda, remember you came to my office and we talked about Luwalizi, is it that ward?

 

Ms Nakaponda: Yes.

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, maybe, this question has been overtaken by events. The hon. Member should have informed the House that this question has been overtaken by events because we realigned the allocation of this secondary school. So, this question was answered a long time ago and the hon. Member knows that.

 

Madam Speaker, however, let me emphasis to all hon. Colleagues that wherever there is no boarding facility and they do weekly boarding, they should find space in the CDF to construct boarding schools, especially for girls. In case it does not hurt the hon. Members, it hurts me. I have been in the ministry for three months and I have seen a lot of things. I have gone to seven provinces and some districts. So, I have a fair share of what the country is, in the70 per cent of the country I have visited. We went to one district together with the hon. Member for Isoka where we found seventy-eight girls pregnant in one area and twenty-one girls pregnant in another area or 118 girls pregnant in one district because of the carelessness of the members of the PF; they stalled the building of 115 boarding schools. If I were them – the problem is that the power of social shame does not dawn on them.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Syakalima: They could not have been walking around with their heads high.

 

Mr Muchima: Big shame!

 

Mr Syakalima: Of course, there is freedom even in shame.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Syakalima: This is not a joke. I am saying this from deep in my heart. In one of the districts, I had to retrieve eight children from marriage to get them back to school.

 

Mr Mpundu: It is malaise!

 

Laughter

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, there will be no more carelessness as we run the system of governance. They were very bad people, if not evil.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Business was suspended from 1040 hours until 1100 hours

 

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

Mrs Chonya was inaudible.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Roan.

 

Mrs Chonya (Kafue): Thank you, Madam Speaker –

 

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan): Thank you, Madam Speaker –

 

Madam Speaker: I am sorry. I did not see the hon. Member for Kafue. I thought she was out. Let us give an opportunity to the hon. Member for Kafue first.

 

Interruptions

 

Mrs Chonya: Madam Speaker, I was having problems unmuting –

 

Interruptions

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Kafue, please, turn off your gadget. It is giving feedback.

 

Mrs Chonya: Madam Speaker, I have taken note of the comments made by the hon. Minister regarding the outstanding 115 schools, but does he not think it would be prudent for the Government to consider completing these schools before we start constructing new ones because in Kafue, Chikupi Day Secondary School has been incomplete for nearly ten years now?

 

Madam Speaker: I think we are opening the question much wider, but because of the answer that the hon. Minister gave, I will allow him to answer the question.

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for the question.

 

Madam Speaker, I am ready to answer any question related to the girl child. When we went on break, I was told not to be so charged because I can die and no one will remember me. Let it be if that is the case, but I am not going to die soon.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Syakalima: The God I pray to helps me. After all, I nearly died when I was in Chinsali General Hospital, but I survived.

 

Madam Speaker: Can we go back to the question on the Order Paper.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, I am a psychologist. So, as a physician, I can heal myself. I am a counselling psychologist, so, they should not worry about me. They may think I am charged; I am not charged. There is a cause or reason.

 

Madam Speaker, we destroyed a generation in the 1990s. I stood here and said that the street kids that we had left – because, at that time, the Government had introduced cost sharing, but some parents were unable to pay for their children and they became street kids. In 2002, I warned this House that the children we had left flourishing around would be a menace to society in the next twenty years. The reason I am doing this is that we are going to destroy another generation. We destroyed the other generation and we are likely to destroy another generation if we do not take this generation to school. We will destroy a generation if the girl children only get impregnated.

 

Madam Speaker, twenty years afterwards, these children are twenty-five years old and they are the same ones who are sent to go and hack each other, and they have no remorse whatsoever, yet you and I are afraid to even kill a chicken. I warned this House. My mind is very predictive. We will destroy another generation if we do not keep the children in school.

 

Madam Speaker, allow me to demonstrate why I am talking this way. We, the politicians, used that generation and they went to kill one another. They went to hack each other because they were not kept in school. They have never known love. This is why, if you have seen, we are concentrating on early childhood education because there is a concept called emotional intelligence which has now arisen, not only the skills that the children acquire and the certificates and degrees they get. How does a medical doctor with a degree fit in society? Does he have emotional intelligence? So, we want to start imparting emotional intelligence in the children, starting from three years to six years.

 

Mr Mubika: Quality!

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, that generation that we lost in the 1990s is gone. These are the plans that I am thinking about but even if some of them are twenty-five or thirty, we can take them for skills training so that they learn how to write and read, just to bring them back to society. However, we cannot afford to lose another generation, and this is where I am coming from.

 

Madam Speaker, those children in Muchinga and wherever I went who were pregnant are not my children. When I was speaking like this, one woman asked me if I was there when she was in labour.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Syakalima: Yes. These are the realities that I see on the ground. I told her that other women die in labour, but she did not die so I wanted to protect her child. That is how I answered her. She then followed me to the car and told me that she did not expect that answer and that she understands, because that was about marrying off her child. I then took that child back to school because she was not yet pregnant. So, these are the realities and I ask my colleagues to help the girl child. You never know, that girl child may be a surgeon. Some men may have prostate cancer in their old age and when they go to the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), that girl child will save their lives.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Syakalima: That is the benefit they would get even if she is not their biological child. That is why we must start caring for the children. I think I am talking to somebody.

 

Hon. Government Members: Indeed! Hammer!

 

Mr Syakalima: Now, going back to the question that –

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Minister, let us come back to the question.

 

Mr Syakalima: Yes, Madam Speaker, let me come back to the question.

 

Madam Speaker, hon. Members may recall that the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning asked me to compile the 115 schools so that we finish these unfinished schools. The other ones that we intend to construct are funded by the World Bank. So, we will start constructing them because the money is there, but the other ones which the PF Government started constructing and have stalled for ten years need to be finished. So, it is not that we want to start building from without. These are World Bank funded secondary schools, while for the other ones that I already compiled, I have asked the hon. Minister of Finance and National Development to look for money so that we finish them. Ten to twelve years of stalling will still affect our children and that is what we are worried about.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Twasa: On a point of order, Madam.

 

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Twasa: Madam Speaker, I heard the hon. Minister of Education clearly state his position and the passion he has for educating our children. However, I am a little bit worried. I do not know what will become of this country in the next ten years because the hon. Minister of Education is putting so much emphasis on the girl child only. Where does he place the boy child? Does he want the girl child to come and take over this country in the next ten years? I need to hear where he puts the boy child because I am worried. So, is the hon. Minister in order to put more emphasis only on the girl child leaving out the boy child?

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Interruptions

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Thank you very much, hon. Member for Kasenengwa.

 

I believe when the hon. Minister is talking about children, he is referring to both boys and girls. So, you need not be worried, hon. Member for Kasenengwa. The classes which will be built will definitely be for both girls and boys. However, of course, because of the historical background or what we went through, there is a tendency to emphasise on the girl child, but the boy child should also not be forgotten, and boys do not get pregnant.

 

Laughter

 

Mr J. Chibuye: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for his lengthy explanation on the subject.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister explained that the Government will embark on a countrywide construction of secondary schools. I am very happy because I know that my constituency will be a beneficiary. Can the hon. hon. Minister state as to whether this construction will be done in phases or it will be done simultaneously countrywide. Can he also allay the fears that we will not face the same predicament where projects will stall?

 

Madam Speaker: As much as I would like to allow that question to be answered, we have expanded the question too much. Let us come back to the question on Nkombwa Ward in Isoka Parliamentary Constituency. If there is any information that the hon. Member for Roan would want to hear in relation to the countrywide construction of secondary schools, I suggest he either puts in a question or gets in touch with the hon. Minister. We do not want to go back to a lengthy lecture on the issue.

 

INCLUSION OF CO-OPERATIVES AS FISP BENEFICIARIES

 

173. Mr Mwambazi (Bwana Mkubwa) asked the Minister of Agriculture:

 

1. whether the Government has any plans to include the following co-operatives in Bwana Mkubwa Parliamentary Constituency as beneficiaries of the Farmer Input Support Programme:

 

1. Kafunotoso;

 

1. Bwana Nyina;

 

1. Kavu; and

 

1. Burning Fire;

 

        b. if so, when the plans will be implemented; and

 

         c. what the cause of the delay in including the co-operatives on FISP is.

 

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr Mtolo): Madam Speaker, according to the records at the Department of Co-operatives, Bwana Nyina and Kavu co-operatives are not registered co-operatives and, therefore, do not qualify for inclusion under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP). Kafunotoso and Burning Fire co-operatives could be included on the programme once the comprehensive review of the FISP is complete. The comprehensive review as indicated is aimed at making the FISP cost effective and better equitable across all beneficiaries.

 

Madam Speaker, plans to include any new beneficiaries will be implemented once the review programme is completed, and that is this year.

 

Madam Speaker, the delay which was mentioned was caused by the need to comprehensively review the programme. As you may be aware, the programme has not undergone a review in a long time.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Madam Speaker: That answer is similar to the answer which was provided yesterday to a similar question.

 

Mr J. Banda (Petauke Central): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving the people of Petauke an opportunity to ask a question. What are the qualifications for a co-operative to take part in the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP)?

 

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, first of all, it has to be registered so that it does not suffer the fate of the other two. When registered, going forward, the community should know the members. Otherwise, we will no longer give fertiliser to members who are not known by the community. This programme is for the most vulnerable and I implore hon. Members in this House to take keen interest in the co-operatives, so that we can be giving the heavily subsidised fertiliser to the under privileged in our country. Right now, we give the fertiliser to people who are not even farmers but are traders and they sell it. This is a concern which all of us should have.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Lubozha: Madam Speaker, considering the formation of so many co-operatives across the country as most youths and women had been encouraged to form co-operatives following the inclusion of the empowerment money in the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) in which they are supposed to benefit, these co-operatives may be beneficiaries in the ministry. However, some of the co-operatives, just like the hon. Minister has indicated, end up getting implements and selling them. Is the ministry considering engaging hon. Members of Parliament in various constituencies to identify the co-operatives that are vulnerable and agriculture-related?

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Chifubu, that question is asking for a general answer, which is outside the intents and purposes of Question No. 173. I suggest you put in a separate question.

 

Mr Mumba (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has talked about the review of the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP). What would he attribute the reasons it has been difficult to wean-off these farmers, so that opportunities are given to new farmers and, therefore, we can start responding to the vulnerable farmers he has referred to? Why has it been so difficult –

 

Laughter

 

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

 

We cannot even hear the question because the hon. Member for Kantanshi is standing over the hon. Member for Lumezi.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Mumba: Madam Speaker, he is not supposed to sit here.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Lumezi, please, move to the side.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Munir Zulu moved to the side.

 

Madam Speaker: Proceed, hon. Member.

 

Mr Mumba: Madam Speaker, in his response, the hon. Minister stated that new co-operatives can join the FISP after the review. My concern particularly from Kantanshi is: What has been the main reason these farmers have not been weaned-off as beneficiaries so that they create opportunities for new vulnerable farmers? I think we have had this problem for a very long time.

 

Mr Mtolo: I am extremely delighted by the question asked by the hon. Member. I would really like hon. Members to take this very seriously.

 

Madam Speaker, firstly, the conduct of some officials at the Ministry of Agriculture has been questionable. The conduct of the extension staff and camp officials has been questionable, and we are not shy as a ministry to talk about this. If we were serious, we should have had people graduating one year after another up to three years and then they move out. However, this fertiliser is so cheap that it brings the desire to hang on, and it is up to us to make sure that people are forced to graduate.

 

Madam Speaker, secondly, the lack of participation by hon. Members in this House has contributed very seriously to this problem. We need to take this as a very serious Government programme. This project takes up US$500 million every year, and we see it getting wasted. We see people get fertiliser and take it across the country. If we do not get involved, who will? I blame my officers in the ministry, but they cannot control this on their own. It needs concerted effort. It needs contributions from each and every one of us. I, therefore, ask hon. Colleagues in here to participate in this.

 

Madam Speaker, a few minutes ago, someone asked if we are going to allow them get involved. I have always said on the Floor that hon. Members should get involved. If we are not going to get involved, even if the laws are there, we will continue seeing people abusing the facility because the fertiliser is simply free of charge. So, let us get involved.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank Hon. Anthony so much for this question so that others can take heed.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mwambazi: Madam Speaker, I have been listening to the contributions of my hon. Colleagues. I thank the hon. Minister for the answers and I hope the people of Bwana Mkubwa will be included.

 

Madam Speaker, what strategy has the ministry put in place as it reviews the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP) to ensure that those co-operatives in need benefit? We have seen that some co-operatives do not deserve to be on the FISP because they can afford to buy their inputs. However, the peasant farmers need co-operatives. How does the ministry ensure that they are included according to its strategy?

 

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, as earlier mentioned, firstly, we will make sure that we run through the names and check them through the Smart Zambia Institute. All the people who are registered have their information with the Smart Zambia Institute. We will make sure that genuine names appear on National Registration Cards (NRCs). What has been happening is that I would simply add my nephew, my niece, my helper in the garden, etcetera, and then form a co-operative. So, we will ensure that no underage people are registered falsely so that we have a clean record.

 

Madam Speaker, secondly, we will try to add some biometric specifications so that when a person comes to get fertiliser and is given the authority to collect it, when the NRC is punched, the face of that person can be seen. So, we will try very hard to use technology to identify people. However, still more, the programme will not succeed if we do not participate. Hon. Mundubile and the hon. Member for Bwana Mkubwa should participate, including Hon. Kapala. Only then will it succeed.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mubika (Shang’ombo): Madam Speaker, arising from the response given by the able hon. Minister of Agriculture that some of his officers in the ministry are involved in the abuse of farming inputs, what punitive measures has he put in place for these erring officers?

 

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, we have submitted names to the police, and let me inform the hon. Member that the presidential directive was that we give the names to the Secretary to the Cabinet so that once they are dismissed, they will have nowhere to go. So, it is that serious. Government officials who are involved should know that they will not receive any protection whatsoever. They will be dismissed and some of them will be arrested.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

ILLEGAL CUTTING OF TREES IN KANONA FOREST

 

174. Mr Mutale (Chitambo) asked the Minister of Green Economy and Environment:

 

1. whether the Government is aware of the illegal cutting of trees in Kanona Forest in Chitambo District; and
2. if so, what measures the Government is taking to curb the vice.

 

The Minister of Green Economy and Environment (Eng. Nzovu): Madam Speaker, I wish to confirm that the Government is aware of the illegal cutting down of trees in Kanona Forest Reserve.

 

Madam Speaker, this august House may wish to note that the factors driving the illegal cutting down of trees in Kanona Forest Reserve can be classified under three broad categories, namely cutting down of trees for wood fuel used in processing of manganese, cutting down of trees for charcoal production and cutting down of trees for food harvesting, which is mainly caterpillars, by local communities.

 

Madam Speaker, to curb the illegal vice, the Government, through the Forestry Department, conducts patrols in the forest reserves and undertakes awareness campaigns to sensitise people on the importance of conserving trees and forests. My ministry also encourages people to form Community Forest Management Groups so that they participate in sustainable forest management, including tree planting activities in areas that have been degraded. Additionally, the Zambia Environmental Management Agency (ZEMA) conducts compliance monitoring to ensure strict adherence to the provision of environmental laws and any other conditions as provided for in the approved environmental impact assessment reports and permits. Further, mining companies involved in the cutting down of trees for wood fuel used in processing of manganese are encouraged to switch to cleaner and sustainable sources of energy.

 

Madam Speaker, in October 2021, the ZEMA conducted three such inspections in Central Province, including Chitambo and Serenje districts. It was established that most of the cutting down of trees during the monitoring visit was mainly for harvesting caterpillars. The ZEMA also visited manganese processing facilities which have since switched to the use of coal. Nevertheless, to ensure that these facilities do not go back to using charcoal, which is cheaper than coal, the ZEMA wrote to all manganese processing facilities in Chitambo and Serenje districts against the use of charcoal.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Mutale: Madam Speaker, I am happy that the hon. Minister has confirmed that the Government is aware of the cutting of trees in Kanona Forest and I want to state that this has continued. Can the hon. Minister categorically state how many officers under the Forestry Department have been deployed to this area to manage and man this forest?

 

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that question.

 

Madam Speaker, in trying to understand why this forest has been so degraded, one has to understand what has been happening in the Forestry Department in the last few years and what we plan to do with the budget. Under the approved budget, the ministry will employ over 150 forest officers and some of them will be deployed to Kanona Forest.

 

Madam Speaker, additionally, some of the other interim measures we will be taking to ensure that tree cutting is reduced, is to educate our people on the benefits carbon trading will bring to our people. We will also operationalise the Forest Development Fund this year to ensure that the locals benefit and switch from cutting trees for charcoal burning to more sustainable ways of keeping the forest.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr J. Chibuye: Madam Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister as to what the ministry is doing with regard to the officers. The hon. Member for Chitambo mentioned that the cutting of trees is still going on. However, the officers face various challenges in the course of their duties. One of them, especially in places like Chitambo, is the threat of black magic or witchcraft on them. What is the ministry doing to encourage and spur the officers to continue working hard even in light of these threats?

 

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that question.

 

Madam Speaker, issues to do with forests directly affect our people. I call upon the hon. Member and actually the House to help us sensitise our people on the need to use this resource sustainably and on the need– I do not know what the right word is – to demystify the issue of witchcraft vis a vis the forestry sector. Indeed, we need to ensure that we carry our people behind and they understand that for the sake of, we, who are living now, and the future generations, it is very important that we use our forest resource in a sustainable manner. I call upon the hon. Member to educate our people that believing in God Almighty, who is greater than all the witches on earth, is the best way to go.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Laughter

 

Madam Speaker: Order! Before we drift into witchcraft, I call upon the Leader of the Opposition.

 

Mr Mundubile (Mporokoso): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the responses so far.

 

Madam Speaker, the challenges our people face many a time, especially in rural areas, are that they rely on the forests for most of their needs, ranging from energy, sometimes lighting and even construction. Using the integrated multi-sectoral approach, is the ministry working with other sectors to try and find solutions for the people in rural areas? I have in mind the Ministry of Energy, through the Rural Electrification Authority (REA), which is making efforts to try and electrify rural areas. Looking at the tariffs and the threatened increase in these tariffs, it is very clear that what we would have achieved by electrifying these areas will not be achieved at all because the tariffs will be prohibitive. Is the ministry working together with other sectors to try and find solutions for the people living in rural areas?

 

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for that timely intervention.

 

Madam Speaker, as the House may be aware, issues of environmental sustainability are contained in the Eighth National Development Plan (ENDP). His Excellency the President has come to Parliament to talk about issues of environmental sustainability and they are basically the Fourth Pillar of our developmental agenda. Issues of environmental sustainability and climate change are key to the aspirations of the New Dawn Administration. Indeed, I can confirm that we are working with key ministries, like the Ministry of Technology and Science. I am sure, a few weeks ago, hon. Members saw us come together to promote the use charcoal briquettes as a way of preventing deforestation.

 

Madam Speaker, we are also working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture to promote sustainable agriculture. As hon. Members are aware, the forestry and agriculture sectors are some of the main drives of deforestation. Further, we are also working very closely with the Ministry of Energy because we believe that in order for us to improve our energy mix in the country and obviously improve reliability of power during periods of droughts, issues of renewable energy must be promoted. They must also be promoted as a way to wean our people from other unsustainable uses of energy. So, indeed, we are working very closely with the whole Government to ensure that issues of environmental sustainability, climate change and global warming are mainstreamed in all aspects of our developmental agenda.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mutale: Madam Speaker, I am glad that the hon. Minister mentioned that the mining industries in Chitambo area, the ones mining manganese, are now using coal. I do not want to challenge the hon. Minister; all I can say is that the cutting of trees has been exacerbated by the mining firms. What they do is that they buy one truck load of coal and then use charcoal. At an opportune time, is the hon. Minister able to go to Chitambo, so that we can go and inspect the mining firms and he can see for himself what I am talking about? These firms are still using charcoal. So, is the hon. Minister able to go to Chitambo with me? That is my question.

 

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that concern.

 

Madam Speaker, indeed, we have been told that the cutting of trees for charcoal production and source of energy for manganese processing is still going on. Let me inform the hon. Member that under the Zambia Environmental Management Agency Act, it is a very big offence to continue using charcoal instead of coal because the approval on the type of energy to use was based on the use of coal. Indeed, I am available and I will contact the hon. Member soon, so that we can go together on the ground and tackle this problem. I also appeal to the hon. Member to help us sensitise our people in that area so that this scourge is reduced.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, do hon. Ministers have a programme to supervise their technocrats when it comes to the preservation of our forests? I ask this question because in my constituency, like in Chitambo, there is a Game Management Area (GMA). The Department of National Parks, under the Ministry of Tourism, objects to timber logging in Chifunda East Musalango GMA, but the Forestry Department issues licences against that objection. Do hon. Ministers have time to ensure that Government policies, which sound to be very promising, are followed by the technocrats in the ministries?

 

Madam Speaker: The hon. Minister of Green Economy and Environment will respond only in relation to Kanona Forest in Chitambo District.

 

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that very important question.

 

Madam Speaker, if there is one ministry which we are working very closely with, it is the Ministry of Tourism because of Game Management Areas (GMAs). However, I must confirm that the New Dawn Government is very methodical and works closely together, it is a knit family. The hon. Member brings to the fore a legacy problem that the New Dawn Government is working closely together to ensure that it is resolved, and this will also benefit our people a lot. Once we protect GMAs and link them to the Community Forest Management, our people will benefit from carbon trading. I encourage hon. Members of Parliament to look at this issue and learn so that together, we can achieve what we call greening the economy, and this is one of the major ways our people can benefit. So, indeed, we are working together in short.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members may benefit from the experience of the hon. Member for Nyimba on that subject of carbon trading.

 

DEMOLITION OF ILLEGAL STRUCTURES IN LUSAKA DISTRICT

 

175. Mr Samakayi (Mwinilunga) asked the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development:

 

1. when demolition of illegal structures in the following areas in Lusaka District will commence:

 

1. along the railway lines;

 

1. in play parks;

 

1. Libala Market; and

 

1. under the Zesco pylons; and

 

        b. what the cause of the delay in commencing the exercise is.

 

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development (Mr Nkombo): Madam Speaker, regarding the developments along the railway lines, some property owners of illegal structures have appealed to the Lusaka Province Planning Appeals Tribunal. The decision on demolition is dependent on the outcome of the appeals.

 

Madam Speaker, there are forty-one play parks in Lusaka. I wish to state that all play parks are on lease and regulated by the local authority, Lusaka City Council in this case. However, there is one leasee who has commenced development in Boli Play Park area without the approval of the council. An enforcement notice has since been served on him and the structure will be demolished when the enforcement notice matures.

 

Madam Speaker, for developments at Libala Market, enforcement notices have been served and the demolition of the structures will be implemented at the expiry of the enforcement notice period.

 

Madam Speaker, with regard to the developments beneath the Zesco pylons and the trading and construction activities in the area that have been noted with concern, especially along Tokyo Way, a programme has been put in place by both Zesco Limited and the Lusaka City Council to curtail these activities.

 

Madam Speaker, the perceived delay in the demolition process is attributed to the time taken under procedures leading to demolition as prescribed by the Urban and Regional Planning Act No. 3 of 2015. With regards to the appeals and enforcement notices, it takes twenty-eight working days for the enforcement notice to mature. As such, demolitions cannot take place before the expiry period.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Samakayi: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the effective answers he has provided to the questions that I posed.

 

Madam Speaker, this House agrees with me that an effective local government administration is a panacea for political maturity as well as socio-economic advancement. When is the ministry going to equip the local authorities in Lusaka to ensure that they respond to their function of development control so that we do not see what used to happen during the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, where cadreism was at a core of maladministration in the local authorities? When are the planning authorities in the province going to be equipped so that they rise to the occasion and control the development in Lusaka City?

 

Mr Nkombo: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Mwinilunga for that question.

 

Madam Speaker, from the day the current President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, was sworn in, the exercise of giving back powers to the local authorities commenced, simply by his maiden pronouncement here that they will be no cadreism. Let me remind the hon. Member because I think he knows that during what I term as the dark years of the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, when cadres took away power from local authorities and enforcement agencies, in this case the police, things began to speed up in getting wrong.

 

Madam Speaker, at the time when Mr Hichilema was sworn in, he indicated that there shall be no cadreism in markets and bus stations. Let me cite Libala Market as an example where people are erecting illegal structures without permission from the planning department. However, this is rampant, especially in the big cities of Zambia like Lusaka, Kitwe, Ndola, Chipata and not so much in Livingstone, where people disregarded the local authorities. The planning departments did not mean anything under the PF Government. Members of the PF did not only take away the planning permission, but they also took away the revenue collections for the planning authorities thereby leaving them all paralysed.

 

Madam Speaker, the process to bring back normalcy has begun. The only area that we have not tackled in full is that of people who are trading in places that are not designated, commonly known as street vendors. However, in terms of developments that are illegal, there are some daring people who sometimes would want to use the current Administration as a path to continue the misbehaviour and malpractice of yesteryear. This particular trend is coming to an end in not so distant a future. We have given warnings and moratoriums to those who have built illegal structures around Lusaka.

 

Madam Speaker, one other example that I can give is Kasangula Road, where the council was completely overpowered by political players who built wantonly anywhere, including on existing tarmac roads. We have now agreed among ourselves that because we are dealing with a people centric matter, we are going to shepherd these people away from these areas. One thing that I will say without even twitching is that the demolition exercise is going to go on as soon as we fulfil the requirements of the law, which I clearly referred to, and include but are not limited to the notice period for demolition.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Lubozha: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister mentioned that there are illegal structures around Lusaka earmarked for demolition. If we investigate, we will find that there was political intervention or interference. However, some officers in the councils, who are under the ministry, gave some people papers such as building permits and they built structures and will suffer a loss. What is the fate of the officers in the ministry who gave such documentation for the erection of such buildings?

 

Mr Nkombo: Madam Speaker, one thing that is clear is that even the officers that the hon. Member of Parliament is referring to as people who did wrong, were all under siege. So, it becomes difficult to decipher those who wantonly decided to do this against those who were cowed down by the very bare fact that we all know, that a cadre became even stronger than Ministers in the Government, and that statement cannot go contested. In the dark years, cadres became more powerful than Ministers in the Government, something that we who are seated here cannot do. I can never allow a cadre to run my office. That being the case, we have to be extremely careful not to go into paging Government officers because they are the depository for information that we need in order to verify certain things.

 

Madam Speaker, let me give an example of the building that is coming up on Thabo Mbeki Road under the pylons. Two days ago, my colleague, the hon. Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, and I went to see how a Pakistan man built on top of a sewer line, water servicing lines and underneath 330 kv Zesco pylons. A joint enquiry reviewed that that man has a title deed, a document of ownership. Further investigations reviewed that that title deed did not go through the Lusaka City Council. When that title deed now surfaced at Lusaka City Council, the councillors at that time and in the dark years, on the last day of members of the PF being in the Government – let me be very precise – had a council meeting and decided to legalise that title deed and they are not there now. So, how in the world do I go to the council officer and say, because you signed here, I am going to fire you?

 

Madam Speaker, we are in here for servitude. That is why we have continuously asked the civil servants and council workers now working under our supervision to be calm and help us with as much information about the malpractice, which had slid this country into what one would call corporate malfunction in terms of governance. So, we need those people to tell us. We have not yet got what it takes in the ministry to tell whether it was initiated by desire for pecuniary benefit or anything. So, we will not fire anyone just now. We want our workers to work in peace and to usher us with information that may help us to fairly reverse this trend.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Mr Munir Zulu (Lumezi) Madam Speaker, in his submission to this House, the hon. Minister said there were so many cadres who had usurped many powers from authorities. What is it that the hon. Minister is doing to those he calls cadres and usurped the powers of the Executive? We cannot be preaching without having punitive measures. What is the hon. Minister doing to deter would-be offenders?

 

Mr Nkombo: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member of Parliament for Lumezi for giving me an opportunity to sound out a caution to those cadres who may want to live in the remnants of the glorious past.

 

Madam Speaker, the President of the Republic, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, has made it extremely clear that any cadre, with the exclusion of no sacrificial lamb, who is going to engage in vices in conflict with the law, will be on his/her own together with the law. Let me give an example of Luapula, where some cadres believed to belong to the United Party of National Development (UPND) tried to disturb an investment. The police moved in and arrested them, and I am sure this is public information. They were arrested and the due process of the law is going to take its course. I am grateful for this question because it sorts of rests the fact that we are determined to make sure that law and order is restored in this country forever, until Jesus Christ comes back.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mabeta: Amen!

 

PROVISION OF ALTERNATIVE FISHING METHODS

 

176. Rev. Katuta asked the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock:

 

1. what alternative fishing methods the Government intends to provide to fishermen, countrywide, following the ban on the use of monofilament and multifilament nets of up to size 2.5mm; and
2. what other types of fishing equipment have been classified as illegal.

 

The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock (Mr Chikote): Madam Speaker, the Government has only banned the use of monofilament nets of all sizes and not the use of multifilament nets. Therefore, the alternative are multifilament nets of not less than 51 mm or 2 inches, 63 mm or 2.5 inches and 76 mm or 3 inches depending on the commercial fishery area as prescribed in the first schedule of the Fisheries (Amendment) Regulation of 2019.

 

Madam Speaker, according to the Fisheries (Amendment) Regulation of 2019, Statutory Instrument (SI) No. 85 and the Fisheries (Amendment) Regulation of 2020, SI No.109, the following fishing equipment has been classified as illegal:

 

1. draw/seine nets of all sizes;
2. chisense fishing nets of less than 10 mm;
3. kapenta fishing nets of less than 10 mm; and
4. buka-buka multifilament drifting nets of all sizes.

 

Madam Speaker, additionally, Section 15 of the Fisheries Act No. 22 of 2011 prohibits the following fishing methods and equipment:

 

1. use of any explosive or firearms for fishing;
2. trawl net or  bottom drag net or other fishing net of similar nature;
3. fish by means of any net towed through the water behind or between boats, or by driving or directing fish towards a stationary net;
4. set any net across the width of any river, channel or lagoon;
5. use of any poison or other noxious substance for the purpose of killing, stunning, injuring, disabling or catching fish;
6. use of any electrical device for fishing; and
7. use of wires for fishing.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Rev. Katuta: Madam Speaker, we have a challenge in Chienge because of the so-called Village Management Committees. I would like to find out from the hon. Minister if it is possible for the Government to set up skills centres to train the so-called Village Management Committees, whom I think are illegal. The fishermen have been using all types of nets, which the hon. Minister said are illegal, and not only the filaments. However, as long as the nets are 2 mm, Village Management Committees confiscate and burn everything from the fishermen who cannot afford to buy proper nets. My question is: can the Government come through for Chienge and put up a skills training centre to train people in aquaculture? I think that will help us. Can the Government do that for us to put an end to what Village Management Committees are doing to the people of Chienge?

 

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Chienge for that question.

 

Madam Speaker, I know the love the hon. Member has for the people of Chienge and I am aware of some of the challenges that our fishermen are going through. Let me assure the hon. Member that, first of all, the ministry is doing its best to give capacity building to our fishermen so they can start investing in aquaculture, and it is providing a conducive environment to attract people to start investing in aquaculture.

 

Secondly, Madam Speaker, we are aware of some of the challenges Village Management Committees have. Some are going out of order and the ministry feels it needs to officially legalise them by bringing them on board, to give them the knowledge they are supposed to have to run these committees. These committees are put in place where we have low staff levels to help us manage our fisheries resources and make sure that people do not use the illegal methods that they are using.

 

Madam Speaker, I am sure that even the hon. Member of Parliament is aware that our communities also go out of order by using illegal fishing methods. We are involving everybody and bringing them on board, and we are trying to put in place mechanisms that will ensure these committees operate within the law.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Wamunyima: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for his answer and his well-guided statutory provisions on what is allowed to be fishing methods.

 

Madam Speaker, my question is general. Currently, in parts of the Western Province, fish is becoming extinct because the fishing practices that the fishermen are using include mosquito nets and doom, and that is why the Mongu Fish that was popular is no longer there. Has the hon. Minister taken time to engage traditional leaders such as the royal establishments in rural constituencies to help augment the efforts of the ministry to sensitise fishermen to stop such practices, considering that there are not enough extension officers and the ministry does not have the capacity to completely end this practice?

 

Madam Speaker, as you may be aware, when the Government issues a fish ban, fishermen continue carrying out illegal practices in certain places in the areas considered to belong to establishments. Has the hon. Minister considered this option?

 

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that question.

 

Madam Speaker, let me inform the hon. Member that in most of our natural water bodies, not just in the Western Province, many communities use illegal methods of fishing and we, as a ministry, have started engaging stakeholders, who include our traditional leaders.

 

Madam Speaker, for the hon. Member’s information, I have already engaged the traditional leaders and the royal establishment in the Western Province. We have discussed these matters that have affected our natural water bodies and caused our fish to deplete and that is the direction we are taking. We are involving everybody and bringing them on board, including our fish farmers. We are giving them the right information and telling them the disadvantages of using illegal methods. This programme involves everybody, including hon. Members of Parliament. They should help in giving the right information to our people. Everybody must take an interest. As long as one is a leader, one must take an interest to give the right information to our people. We should not just focus on politicking. We have to make sure that we provide leadership to guide our communities.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Rev. Katuta: Madam Speaker, the fish in Lake Mweru has depleted and I asked this question because of the methods of fishing being used. I know the wheels of the Government turn slowly. Since the hon. Minister has mentioned that hon. Members of Parliament should get involved, will he allow the hon. Member for Chienge and other hon. Members to bring in private investors who can quickly train these people in cage fishing?

 

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, the New Dawn Government allows private partners to come on board for the sake of our people. If the hon. Member has some private partners in mind to help the people of Chienge, she is most welcome. We want to work together and achieve our nation’s objectives.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mutinta: Madam Speaker, allow me to add a voice to this important topic because I am equally a fisherman. The people of Itezhi-Tezhi are asking this question.

 

Madam Speaker, the nets in question are flooded all over Kamwala and the whole country. Are there no intentions to ban the importation of these nets because this is what is prompting us fishermen to use them? Are there intentions to do away with them completely on the market, unless there are other purposes other than fishing that they are used for?

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, illegal is illegal. The ministry has gone further by engaging the Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA), to start with, to ensure that there is no more importation of monofilament nets. Further, we have engaged the businessmen who supply them and we told them that these nets are now illegal in Zambia. Hence, once we find an outlet selling these things, we will confiscate them because that is one way we are going to help our communities adhere to the regulations.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Chonde (Milenge): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving the people of Milenge a chance to ask a question. We have an emergency, and before I ask my question, I just want to take advantage of the interface I have with the hon. Minister of Infrastructure –

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Milenge, we are looking at time. Just ask your question.

 

CONSTRUCTION OF THE NSUNGA/LUNGO MUKUTA ROAD

 

177. Mr Chonde asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

 

1. whether the Government has any plans to construct the Nsunga/Lungo Mukuta Road in Milenge Parliamentary Constituency;
2. if so, when the plans will be implemented;
3. what the estimated cost of the project is; and
4. what the estimated timeframe for the completion of the project is.

 

The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi): Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to rehabilitate the Nsunga/Lungo Mukuta Road in Milenge Parliamentary Constituency.

 

Madam Speaker, the rehabilitation of the Nsunga/Lungo Mukuta Road is scheduled for implementation under the Zambia National Service (ZNS) Rehabilitation Programme, once funds have been released.

 

Madam Speaker, the estimated cost of the project is K7.3 million.

 

Madam Speaker, the estimated timeframe for the completion of the project is six months.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Chonde: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the elaborate answer.

 

Madam Speaker, what caught my attention in the answer is the word ‘rehabilitation’ because there is nothing to rehabilitate in that area. There is no road in that area that a car or vehicle can use. So, I think the hon. Minister has not been given the correct information. There has never been a road to Lungo Mukuta. All we do is bush clearing when we are driving there. So, that road does not exist and the hon. Minister must strike off the word ‘rehabilitation’ in his sentence.

 

Madam Speaker, I do not know what triggers urgency in the New Dawn Government, especially in the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development because since Independence, the people of Lungo Mukuta have never seen a road. In fact, Lungo Mukuta is a phrase that has been adopted on the street, which is used to refer to people who are backwards; when they call you Lungo Mukuta, it means you are backward. That is how serious that situation in Lungo Mukuta is.

 

Interruptions

 

Mr Chonde: I was not in the Government.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Chonde: Madam Speaker, as Member of Parliament for the area, I would like the Government to take this situation as a matter of urgency, so that the people of Lungo Mukuta – to adopt the New Dawn Government’s words – can also take part in the sharing of the national cake equitably.

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, the Member for Milenge, Hon Chonde, is right to be concerned and to be passionate in the way he expresses his concern. I only wish that in the last ten years, he was equally passionate about that road. However, let me assure him that the New Dawn Administration is concerned about the connectivity of our people, if he is paying attention. My next tour of duty will cover Luapula and he is free to engage with me so that I go on this road. If there is nothing there, there are other things that we can look at, including improved rural connectivity, using the US$200 million that was from the World Bank and Luapula was one of those that was covered. So, I will have to find out why that road was left out and we can do that as we tour that particular road. So, he is welcome to invite me to visit his constituency.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Chonde: Madam Speaker, may I ride on your discretion because we have an emergency in Milenge and, obviously, any other procedure may delay the response that the New Dawn Government might have for the people of Milenge.

 

Madam Speaker: Does it relate to this question?

 

Mr Chonde: Yes it does.

 

Madam Speaker: I believe the hon. Minister has offered a green leaf that you can discuss with him. You can have a chat with the hon. Minister when we adjourn. He has invited you.

 

Mr Anakoka: On a Matter of Urgent Public Importance, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Luena, not at this stage. You are too late. You can wait for Tuesday next week.

 

Laughter

 

Mr Anakoka (Luena): Madam Speaker, the people of Luena were listening passionately as the hon. Minister of Education was answering the questions asked by the hon. Member for Isoka. Nonetheless, they still wish to pose Question No. 168 – 178.

 

Madam Speaker: I was getting lost.

 

Laughter

 

CONSTRUCTION OF A BOARDING SCHOOL IN LUENA

 

178. Mr Anakoka asked the Minister of Education:

 

1. whether the Government has any plans to construct a boarding secondary school in Luena Parliamentary Constituency;
2. if so, when the plans will be implemented; and
3. if there are no such plans, why.

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, it seems the hon. Member of Parliament wants us to fulfill the task but he believes I have already answered his question. However, it could be slightly different from the question asked by the hon. Member for Isoka.

 

Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the Government has no immediate plans to construct a boarding secondary school in Luena Parliamentary Constituency.

 

Madam Speaker, on account of the response in part (a), part (b) falls off.

 

Madam Speaker, there are no such plans because the Government plans to construct a day secondary school in the same constituency in 2022, under the Zambia Education Enhancement Project (ZEEP).

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Luena, take into account the answers the hon. Minister has provided on the question from the hon. Member for Isoka so that we avoid tedious repetitions.

 

Mr Anakoka: Much appreciated, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker, the people of Luena were given a secondary school in Limulunga, which is currently being constructed even though the works had stalled for a while now. We understand that initially that secondary school was supposed to have been a boarding secondary school. I will not go into the details that the hon. Minister has already acknowledged regarding the challenges that children in rural areas face, when it comes to accessing education because there are only day secondary schools available.

 

Madam Speaker, that school was designed to be a boarding secondary school but then, I suspect due to financial constrains, it was decided that it should just be constructed as a day secondary school. Can the ministry reconsider that at least that one secondary school is readjusted so that boarding facilities are also provided? We, the people of Luena Constituency, are willing to provide land for that purpose.

 

Madam Speaker: If I recall, the hon. Minister of Education suggested that if you have recourse to the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), it might help. I am just trying to avoid repetitions but the hon. Minister can answer.

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, as I said, if it is not an immediate plan of the Central Government, I think the hon. Member can do that using the CDF so that when the Government starts building the other ones, we can consider constructing boarding schools.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Mr Anakoka: On a point of order, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Anakoka: Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order on an issue that concerns the Ministry of Water Development and Sanitation.

 

Madam Speaker, yesterday, the nation was informed through a publication that the ministry intends to award a contract for the supply of prepaid water meters. Looking at the figures that were published, the nation was shocked to learn that a prepaid water meter is going to be supplied at a price of US$250,000 each, and the contract for that intended supply of water meters is US$273 million.

 

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister of Water Development and Sanitation in order to not deal with this matter in order to assure the nation that there is no attempt to loot public resources through that contract?

 

Madam Speaker: The hon. Minister of Water Development and Sanitation is here. The mode that you have adopted to have that issue brought up is definitely wrong, because we are now asking questions under Standing Order No. 74. However, the hon. Minister is here. Maybe, he can shed some light if he can, or maybe, he will need time to have an appropriate response.

 

The Minister of Water Development and Sanitation (Mr Mposha): Madam Speaker, I will issue a ministerial statement next week.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: Next week on Tuesday or Wednesday?

 

Mr Mposha: Wednesday will be fine, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: Of course, we are breaching our own Standing Orders now.

 

TARRING OF TOWNSHIP ROADS IN SERENJE DISTRICT

 

179. Mr Kandafula (Serenje) asked the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development:

 

1. when tarring of township roads in Serenje District will commence;
2. what the cause of the delay in commencing the project is;
3. what the cost of the outstanding works is; and
4. what the timeframe for the completion of the project is.

 

Mr Nkombo: Madam Speaker, the tarring of township roads in Serenje District will commence once funds are made available in line with the ministry’s work plan.

 

Madam Speaker, the delay in the tarring of the roads is due to the lack of funding. This affected the project whose contract expired in the year 2020. The ministry could not renew this contract at that point due to the lack of funds.

 

At the time of the closure of the contract, the contractor had paved 5.6 km out of the 31 km. The contract sum was K134 million. Out of this, K32 million was certified. Therefore, K102 million was the cost of the outstanding works.

 

Madam Speaker, the timeframe for the project will be known once the contract is renewed and signed.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Mr Kandafula: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that good answer. However, my worry is that, as I speak, Serenje has been cut into two parts, Tazara and the main town centre. Some school children from Tazara are not able to go to school in town because the bridges are flooded and they were also part of the same contract. Are there any emergency plans to assist the people of Serenje?

 

Mr Nkombo: Madam Speaker, I sympathise with our people in Serenje District, especially those that the hon. Member has indicated have been cut off as a result of the adverse weather situation. This situation is countrywide and it is not only affecting Serenje District, which has been cut off into two.

 

Madam Speaker, earlier, I referred to the road in Chadiza, and the hon. Member came to complain that part of it was cut off by the adverse weather. I continue to make reference to Chama North and the hon. Member a while ago wrote a letter. I advise the hon. Member or the Council Secretary to write a letter to the Ministry of Finance and National Planning with a Bill of Quantity (BoQ) that is going to stipulate what is required in order to fix that crossing point. Hopefully, an emergency reaction may come out of the Government in order to normalise and reduce the pain of our people in Serenje.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

HOUSEHOLDS SETTLED IN KANGOMBA FOREST

 

180. Ms Halwiindi (Kabwe Central) asked the Minister of Green Economy and Environment:

 

1. how many households had settled in Kangomba Forest in Kabwe District, as of September, 2021; 
2. whether the Government has any plans to degazette the forest to provide for human settlement;
3. if so, when the plans will be implemented; and
4. if there are no such plans, why.

 

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that there is no forest reserve in Kabwe District called Kangomba Forest. However, in Kangomba area, there is Kabwe National Forest No. 31 Block Two, which is the officially gazetted forest reserve.

Madam Speaker, there are approximately 900 households with permanent structures in Kabwe National Forest No. 31 Block Two.

Madam Speaker, the Government has no plans to degazette Kabwe National Forest No. 31 Block 2. Therefore, part (c) of the question falls off.

Madam Speaker, this area was established as a forest reserve to provide goods and services for local communities adjacent to the area and also provide industrial woods to the mines, particularly in Kabwe. This is a need to provide further protection to Kabwe National Forest No. 31 Bock One, which is a water catchment area. It is the view of the New Dawn Government that the Kabwe National Forest No. 31 Block Two be maintained as a forest reserve.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Ms Halwiindi: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that information and correction.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister said there are approximately 900 households in Kabwe National Forest No. 31 Block Two. What is going to happen to those people who have settled there since they have been there since 2002 and beyond? What is their fate?

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, the problem of the encroachment of forests is a very big problem. This Government would like to resolve that problem as quickly as possible in light of climate change and our desire to protect the environment. Concerning the people who are settled there, we are talking to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and the Government will find a place where they can be settled.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Menyani Zulu (Nyimba): Madam Speaker, I know that the hon. Minister has a big task to sort out this mess which we have created on our own as Zambian citizens.

 

Madam Speaker, looking at the number of forests which have been encroached by people, does the Government have a plan for the people? I am asking this question because I did not see that in the Budget. Will the hon. Minister for Finance and National Planning bring a Supplementary Budget so that the Government can buy enough vehicles and can start motorised patrols because the hon. Minister and I understand that the ministry does not have vehicles in the districts and that is why there are encroachments everywhere? Does the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning plan to bring a Supplementary Budget to Parliament so that this Parliament can at least approve some money for the ministry?

 

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, I thank Hon. Menyani and I am aware that he has a lot of information on these issues. I invite him to the office so that we can discuss more.

 

Madam Speaker, the encroachment of forests is a very big issue and a troubling one. I must mention to the House that the encroachment of our forests is threatening the provision of water in the country. Let me inform hon. Members that because of encroachment, we are losing water sources. In Mongu, some of the streams which were providing water to the people of Mongu have dried up. In Chililabombwe, springs and actually three rivers have dried up. Encroachment threatens environmental sustainability, leading to deforestation which contributes to global warming and these are issues we need to tackle. The hon. Member talked about the Supplementary Budget which, indeed, we will bring to the House so that we strengthen forest management and preservation.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Ms Halwiindi: Madam Speaker, concerning the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) that we are going to receive, we have been guided that we need to provide clean water to our people and that we have to make sure that we increase the capacity of the classroom blocks because with free education, some children sit on the floor, and this area is not an exceptional. There are 900 households, and schools in this area, so, does it mean that I do not have to take any development in terms of increasing classroom blocks and drilling boreholes because this area will not be gazetted and the people are going to be relocated? I need the hon. Member’s guidance.

 

Eng. Nzovu: Madam Speaker, indeed, it is a difficult time for the people of Kabwe. I sympathise with the hon. Member and it is very difficult for me to encourage her on that path. In fact, I encourage the hon. Member to plant trees in that area using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and together with the local traditional leaders in that area, to actively look for land and, as the Government, we can help relocate our people.

 

Madam Speaker, this is an emotive issue, which really affects our livelihoods. These are difficult decisions for hon. Members of Parliament and the people of Zambia, but if we are to bequeath the country with natural resources which will also be utilised by our future generations, we have to make these tough decisions.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

STALLED CONSTRUCTION OF DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION OFFICES IN NGABWE DISTRICT

 

181. Mr Kolala (Lufubu) asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

 

1. why the construction of the district administration offices in Ngabwe District has stalled;
2. when the project will resume;
3. what the total cost of the outstanding works is; and
4. what the timeframe for the completion of the project is.

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, the construction of the district administration offices in Ngabwe District has stalled due to the contractor’s poor performance and he abandoned the site. The contract was recommended for termination and the termination process is underway.

 

Madam Speaker, the project is expected to resume after the termination process has been completed and a new contractor procured.

 

Madam Speaker, the cost of the outstanding works is K2,916,094.95. However, the current cost of the outstanding works will be affected due to material cost escalation and currency fluctuation which have occurred over the period. This cost will accurately be determined upon procurement of the new contractor.

 

Madam Speaker, the timeframe for the completion of the remaining works is estimated to be twelve months. However, the actual timeframe will be determined after a replacement contractor has been procured.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Kolala was inaudible.

 

Madam Speaker: Can you unmute yourself hon. Member. We cannot hear you. It appears we have a technical issue.

 

Mr Kolala: Madam Speaker, I think the district is the only district which is just on paper. Right now, even the road to that district is impassable. When one goes to the district, there is nothing to show for it. I am just worried because there is no timeframe to complete the remaining works and the hon. Minister only said that everything will be done. Can the hon. Minister give us a timeframe?

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I sympathise with the hon. Member for Lufubu. However, I assure him that there are many district administration centres which are in exactly the same situation as Ngabwe District Administration Centre. I can give many examples, but it is probably not necessary.

 

Madam Speaker, terminating a contract requires a legal process. So, we have to wait for that legal process to be complete before I can know when the works will resume. After terminating the contract, we have to procure a new contractor and that is what will take a bit of time. As to whether I can put a date as to when all these processes will be complete, I am not able to do that. All I can assure the hon. Member is that we are taking this as a priority so that this thing can be finalised.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

MEASURES TO IMPROVE THE TEACHER-PUPIL RATIO IN ALL SCHOOLS IN CHAMA NORTH CONSTITUENCY

 

182. Mr Mtayachalo asked the Minister of Education what measures the Government is taking to improve the teacher-pupil ratio at all schools in Chama North Parliamentary Constituency.

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, the Government plans to recruit 30,000 teachers in 2022 to improve the teacher-pupil ratio countrywide and Chama North Parliamentary Constituency is no exception.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mtayachalo: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that very brief response. However, I just want to know one thing. Chama North is in a Game Management Area (GMA), where there is a lot of human-wildlife conflict. Does the Government have plans to give first priority to the indigenous people in that constituency because, currently, we have a shortfall of 261 teachers?

 

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, at the expense of repeating myself, I said we shall indicate the way we shall recruit teachers. Certainly, areas in which we see many deficiencies will get teachers.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr J. Banda: Madam Speaker, –

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

(Debate adjourned)

 

_______

 

The House adjourned at 1255 hours until 1430 hours on Tuesday, 22^nd February, 2022.

 

____________

 

WRITTEN REPLY TO QUESTION

 

IMPLEMENTATION OF LIVESTOCK PREVENTION PROGRAMMES IN LUFUBU CONSTITUENCY

 

172. Mr Kolala (Lufubu) asked the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock:

 

1. whether the Government has any plans to implement livestock disease prevention programmes in Lufubu Parliamentary Constituency;
2. if so, when the plans will be implemented; and
3. when a motor vehicle will be procured for the Department of Livestock Development in Ngabwe District to enhance its operations.

 

The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock (Mr Chikote): Madam Speaker, the Government has been implementing livestock disease preventive programmes in Lufubu Parliamentary Constituency. The following are some of the programmes my ministry is implementing:

1. vaccination of diseases of national economic importance such as the Foot and Mouth Disease;
2. conducting extension services through our field staff;
3. conducting clinical services where the need arises;
4. conducting surveillance of livestock diseases in the constituency;
5. livestock movement regulation.

 

Madam Speaker, the House may wish to note that my ministry is currently vaccinating cattle against Foot and Mouth Disease in the constituency and an estimated 22,000 cattle will be vaccinated, and the programme is ongoing. My ministry allocated a Toyota Land cruiser to Ngabwe District in 2020.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.