Wednesday, 16th February, 2022

Wednesday, 16^th February, 2022

The House met at 1430 hours

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

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ANNOUNCEMENTS BY MADAM SPEAKER

ACTING LEADER OF GOVERNMENT BUSINESS IN THE HOUSE

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I have received communication to the effect that in the absence of Her Honour the Vice-President, who is attending to other government business, the hon. Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Reuben Mtolo, MP, has been appointed Acting Leader of Government Business in the House from today, Wednesday, 16^th February, 2022, until further notice.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

DELEGATION FROM THE PARLIAMENT OF UGANDA

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I wish to acquaint the House with the presence, in the Speaker’s Gallery, of a delegation of hon. Members of Parliament and staff from the Parliament of Uganda, led by the Leader of Opposition and the delegation is as follows:

Hon. Mpuuga Mathias, MP – Leader of Opposition (Leader of Delegation)

Hon. Nambeshe John Baptist, MP – Chief Opposition Whip

Hon. Ssaazi Godfrey, MP

Hon. Asinansi Nyakato, MP

Hon. Kakande Julient Napabuye, MP

Hon. Simbwa Fred, MP

Hon. Muwada Nkunyingi, MP

Mr Mugabi Arthur – Policy Analyst

Ms Namayengo Lydia – Senior Policy Analyst

Mr Mitatta Kaaya Sadab – Senior Public Affairs Officer

I wish, on behalf of the National Assembly of Zambia, to receive our distinguished guests and warmly welcome them in our midst.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

DELEGATION FROM THE PARLIAMENT OF KENYA

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members, I further wish to acquaint the House with the presence, in the Speaker’s Gallery, of three members of staff from the Parliament of Kenya:

Mr Erick Ogolo – Public Communication Officer (Team Leader)

Ms Lilian Alunga – Public Communication Officer

Ms Lily Cherotich – Communication Assistant

I again wish, on behalf of the Zambian National Assembly, to receive our distinguished guests and warmly welcome them in our midst.

I thank you.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

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MATTER OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE

MR MWILA, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR MUFULIRA, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF HEALTH, ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF EXPIRED DRUGS

Mr Mwila (Mufulira): Madam Speaker, the matter I wish to raise is directed at the hon. Minister of Health. A few days ago, the nation came to know about the drugs that were distributed by the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) to the Zambian public. These drugs are part of the consignment that was delivered to the Zambian Government by Honeybee Pharmacy. In the last one and half years, we know the story that has been surrounding the drugs supplied by Honeybee Pharmacy to the extent that they are expired and not fit for human consumption.

Madam Speaker, if it was not for the whistleblower who alerted the nation that the consignment of these drugs has actually been released by ZAMMSA to the unsuspecting public, we were not going to know and the Zambian citizens were going to be administered with drugs that have been labeled to be expired and not fit for human consumption.

Madam Speaker, I am aware that the said agency, ZAMMSA, issued a statement early this week apologising to the nation. In its own words, the agency said it was sorry to have released those drugs. In that statement, two institutions were mentioned; Kabwe General Hospital and Kasama General Hospital, to be the ones that received these drugs. However, stakeholders who have raised concern at such an occurrence have actually mentioned that these drugs have also been reported to be in the North-Western Province, specifically in Mwinilunga.

Madam Speaker, the nation is in shock that drugs that have been labeled not to be fit for human consumption have secretly been released to the unsuspecting public. Therefore, I wish to know whether it is the Government’s position now that it has ascertained that these drugs, contrary to what was previously reported to the country, are actually fit for human consumption, hence their distribution. If not, how did the drugs that are supposed to be in quarantine find themselves released and distributed to the Zambian people? I seek your guidance, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much for that matter that you have raised. Indeed, the matter qualifies to be treated as such. I, therefore, direct the hon. Minister of Health to come back to the House on Tuesday next week with a statement just to explain to the people of Zambia at large, the circumstances surrounding the release of the said medicines.

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QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

DELIMITATION OF CONSTITUENCIES

126. Mrs Chonya (Kafue) asked the Vice-President:

whether the Government has any plans to delimitate some parliamentary constituencies; and
if so, when the plans will be implemented.

The Minister of Agriculture and Acting Leader of Government Business in the House (Mr Mtolo): Madam Speaker, before I respond to that question, may I take advantage of this time to join you in welcoming our hon. Colleagues who have come from Uganda with their officials and indeed the officials from Kenya. They are most welcome.

Secondly, I would also like to welcome the newly elected hon. Member of Parliament for Kabwata for having majestically made it to come to join the National Assembly of Zambia as an hon. Member of Parliament. We welcome him and wish him well. He should continue from where our late brother started off from and, indeed, do better than the previous hon. Member of Parliament who stood there for quite such time, Hon. –

Interruptions

Mr Mtolo: Thank you indeed.

Madam Speaker, finally, it is with a heavy heart that I inform the House that our hon. Colleague, Hon. Jack Mwiimbu, has lost a son and that is why he is not in the House today. We are extremely sad about it and wish him our condolences at this sad moment.

Madam Speaker, in response to the question asked by the hon. Member for Kafue, I inform this august House that the Government, in February, 2020, received a report from the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) on the 2019 delimitation of constituencies and wards exercise.

Madam, the House may wish to note that the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016, under Article 229 (2) (g) and Articles 58 and 59, mandates ECZ to delimit electoral boundaries and constituency and ward boundaries respectively, for the purpose of conducting elections to the National Assembly and councils.

Further, the Electoral Process Act No. 35 of 2016 in Part III, Section 21 to 25, stipulates the roles of the commission in the delimitation process and that delimitation is conducted at intervals of not more than ten years after the last delimitation.

Madam Speaker, in this regard, ECZ in 2019 conducted a country-wide delimitation exercise for constituencies, wards and polling districts, which we commonly call stations, and resolved all electoral boundary issues affecting districts across the country.

Madam, I inform the House that according to the report, ECZ effected the following:

delimitation of wards from 1,624 to 1,858 through the Ministry of Local Government; and
delimitation of polling districts (stations) from 7,700 to 12,152.

However, the commission could not effect delimitation of constituencies on account that the Constitution currently provides for 156 constituencies only. Therefore, any change to this number will require constitutional amendments.

Madam Speaker, the New Dawn Administration is carefully studying the report of ECZ on the 2019 delimitation exercise and recommendations contained therein and will, at an appropriate time, inform the House and the nation on the next course of action.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mrs Chonya: Madam Speaker, indeed, before I posed my question, I should have also congratulated our hon. Colleague, the newly elected hon. Member of Parliament for Kabwata. However, my question now to the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House is when the Government is considering that constitutional review, so that this delimitation of constituencies can be undertaken.

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that question. As indicated in the response, ECZ did its job. It is now up to the Executive to sit and decide, after reviewing what has been given, when the issue can be brought to Parliament. One would hasten to say that even hon. Members in the House are free to move a Motion to that effect, if they so wish.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chitotela (Pambashe): Madam Speaker, I do recall one of your predecessors by the name of Hon. Amusaa Mwanamwambwa saying that the problem of political history is that it keeps on repeating itself, but politicians do not seem to learn.

In 2021, the then Patriotic Front (PF) Government moved a Motion to seek a constitutional amendment. Our friends, then in the Opposition, which we do not intend to do, vehemently objected. They said, “We cannot amendment the Constitution on the account of delimitation. We can delimitate without the constitutional amendment.” It happened here and we can get the verbatim record.

Madam Speaker, I am shocked today to hear the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House stating that delimitation of constituencies requires a constitutional amendment when our hon. Colleagues are on record, loud and clear, saying that we do not need a constitutional amendment.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, can you ask your question.

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, is it the hon. Minister’s new position that truly the PF was right then that for any movement regarding constituencies, whether increasing or decreasing, you require a constitutional amendment? Could the hon. Minister confirm.

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, how happy I am that that question has been raised in that fashion so that people might be educated. To change issues of wards, you need a simple statutory instrument. To change numbers of polling districts, you need a gazette notice from ECZ. To change constituencies, you need a constitutional amendment.

Now, the hon. Member talked about the Patriotic Front (PF). I wished not to refer to it, but since he asked, I will. First of all, our hon. Colleagues brought the constitutional change together with other areas to change in the Constitution of Zambia Amendment Bill No. 10 of 2019, which was a very obnoxious activity.

Mr Mundubile: Question!

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

Mr Mtolo: So, I am here to remind them that they defeated the Bill on their own by adding matters which were very incompatible to the very good idea of increasing the constituencies.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chitotela interjected.

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

The questions that we ask attract certain answers. So, as we ask, let us moderate. Moderation and good temper are always very good as we debate.

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Madam Speaker, indeed, it is sad news that the hon. Minister has just announced; the passing on of the son to Hon. Jack Mwiimbu. We send our sincere condolences to him and the family.

Madam Speaker, could the hon. Minister clarify something to this august House. I am riding on the hon. Member for Pambashe’s question. It is clear that when our hon. Colleagues, now in the New Dawn Government, were in the Opposition, they announced something contrary to what the hon. Minister has just said. I remember vividly and if we are to go to the Hansard, we will all be told that they said, “We can delimitate without necessarily amending the Constitution.”

Madam Speaker, arising from his explanation that it was defeated because the proposed Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No.10 of 2019 had abnormal clauses, is the hon. Minister, therefore, confirming that any constitutional amendment by the New Dawn Government, which should in any case constitute fifty or more than fifty per cent of the content that the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019 was proposing, should we also come and treat it as a failure? Is that what he is confirming? I know that very soon, as he tries to amend the Constitution, the hon. Minister will learn that actually those obnoxious clauses were not even abnormal. It was politics at play. So, should we also come and –

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

Ask your question. Your preamble is too long. Could you ask a direct and concise question so that the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House can respond. Stick to the delimitation issue. You may proceed.

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister of Justice has indicated that the consultation process for amending the Constitution has already started. Is the Government also going to include the delimitation process? If the answer in terms of increasing the number of constituencies is yes, what then will be different from the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Bill No. 10 of 2019?

Madam Speaker: The Acting Leader of Government Business in the House will answer the question in relation to the delimitation.

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, the only difficulty is that the question is based on an assumption; will you do this if we do that? Everything is an assumption. How do you respond to assumptions? It would be better if the hon. Member was clearer. However, I will give it a little bit of benefit. You need the delimitation exercise to be done and it is done every ten years. Whether constituencies increase every ten years or not, it is done and it has been done. From 2011 to 2021 and then add ten years to 2021, you will get 2031. That is when it will be done. The delimitation exercise is always done and it has always been done. I can confirm here that ECZ did it. The commission has the figures. It knows how many constituencies will be there. It is the process of the Executive changing the law which was not done.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mrs Chonya: Madam Speaker, I like the way the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House is putting it; the Executive is the one that needs to handle the final stage for this delimitation to happen. Do we necessarily have to wait for other processes like moving of Motions to urge the Executive to do that when the need and the recommendation was already made clear by the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ)? As you may be aware, funding is also tied to the number of constituencies in a district. How soon will the Government do this and does it have to wait for other processes, which I have alluded to, as opposed to just moving in and doing its part so that this is done?

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, the issue is under review and immediately the review is over, we will be guided as to when the issue will be brought to House so that the Constitution can be changed accordingly.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Anakoka (Luena): Madam Speaker, the people of Luena also mourn with the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security. Hon. The hon. Minister and Acting Leader of Government Business in the House has indicated that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) did carry out some consultations and produced a report, which report, to the best of my recollection, was not shared with the public. There was a lot of suspicion that what ECZ was going to produce had the legislative amendments been done to enable delimitations was going to allow the former regime to, as it were, rule from the grave. In that it would have lost the popular vote but, …

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, what is your question?

Mr Anakoka: Madam Speaker, given that the report is not known and many people feel that it was going to be skewed in the way it was going to implemented, is the Government ready to reopen that process of consultation so that we can actually see the recommendations and debate them as opposed to just picking it up from where EZC left?

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, the process is that the Executive through Cabinet will review the report from ECZ and when that is done, the documents will be brought for public scrutiny and I want to believe that each and every hon. Member will be given a copy to go through and the public will be given time as the in the normal process of constitutional review, will be given chance to debate the issue and conclude together as a Zambians so that what we do is not by ECZ, not by the Executive and not by Parliament but is really through Parliament by the people.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Kapyanga ( Mpika): Madam Speaker, thank you for according me –

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

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, according to Standing Order No. 165, a Minister must come and give correct information to the people and the public. According to my recollection, if he was not here, he could have consulted. ECZ did distribute a report to all hon. Members of Parliament and stakeholders. The same report is on the commission’s website. According to the Zambian Constitution, the mandate to review the boundaries and constituencies is a constitutional and a legal provision given to ECZ. Is the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House in order to mislead the Zambian people by stating that ECZ never distributed its report when he could have even asked the hon. Minister of Education? His counterpart could have guided him and told him that he received the report. Is he therefore, in order to mislead the Government, the people of Zambia and the general public by stating that the report was never distributed?

I seek your guidance, Madam.

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much for that point of order. I was not here and so, I would not know whether or not the report was submitted. The people who were here would know better. If the report was, indeed, submitted, then it is not correct to state that it was not made public.

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: Let us make progress.

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, first and foremost, let me send my heartfelt condolences to the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security on the loss of his son. I thank the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House for the answers he has given thus far.

Madam Speaker, would it be correct for the hon. Minister to say that his party, then in the Opposition, acted hypocritical by walking out of the House during the debate of this very –

Hon. Government Members: Question!

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Mpika, the supplementary question relates to the plans; when the delimitation of constituencies is going to be implemented, and not the historical background of what happened in the Twelfth Assembly. Hon. Member, ask your direct question.

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, thank you so much and let me withdraw my earlier statement. I said that because the hon. Minister stated that they could not be part of it as it had obnoxious articles.

Madam Speaker: Order!

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, let me just ask a direct question to please him. When he brings the Constitution Amendments for us to amend the Article that talks about the number of constituencies that we need to have as a country, is he also going to include other obnoxious clauses and articles?

Madam Speaker: Since the question does not touch on the delimitation, we will make progress. Hon. Member for Chilanga, you may ask your question.

Mr Hlazo (Chilanga): Madam Speaker, could the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House state, from the report that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) submitted to the Government, how many new constituencies have been proposed to be created?

Madam Speaker: I do not know if the question is clear. There is a bit of noise and the voice was too low. Maybe, the hon. Member for Chilanga can repeat the question so that we have the privilege of hearing what it is.

Mr Hlazo: Madam Speaker, my question to the hon. Minister and Acting Leader of Government Business in the House is: based on the report that the ECZ submitted to the Government, how many new constituencies have been proposed to be created?

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, that still remains the privilege of the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ). At this time, we are not in a position to indicate how many constituencies were there or would be added. Doing that would be totally premature.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Katuta (Chienge): Madam Speaker, before I ask my question, I would like to apologise to the august House for my behaviour yesterday, especially to you, Madam.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Madam Speaker: It is alright hon. Member. I know it was the first day. Pressure and tempers were still high. You are completely forgiven. You may proceed. We cherish the sisterhood.

Ms Katuta: Madam Speaker, thank you. The Constitution states that delimitation is supposed to be carried out within a ten year period. I am aware that within that period of ten years, the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) did what it could. When it came to the amendment of the Constitution, of course, that did not happen. Now, looking at the Constitution and the legality of it, it is suppose to be within the period of ten years. However, ten years has lapsed. Are we still going to ahead to do the legality?

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, the law requires that ECZ carries out delimitation within every ten years. However, the law does not say that after the delimitation, you are forced to increase, reduce or maintain. You can do any of this depending on the economic situation, what the people want and so forth. So, you are not forced to increase or to reduce. In this case, therefore, the status quo has been maintained.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mutale (Chitambo): Madam Speaker, thank you very much –

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

Madam Speaker: Order!

Mr Jamba: Madam Speaker, a point of order on the hon. Member who was alleging that the report was previously submitted to this House. I am standing on our Standing Orders No. 65 (b).

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, the hon. Member for Pambashe is not even in the House. He is gone.

Mr Jamba: Madam Speaker, he misled the House and the nation.

Madam Speaker: You did not raise the point of order immediately.

Mr Jamba: Madam Speaker, I was looking for the best –

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order!

The hon. Member for Pambashe was raising a point of order. So, there cannot be another point of order on a point of order. So, the hon. Member for Mwembezhi is out of order.

Mr Jamba: He was misleading the nation.

Madam Speaker: Can we make progress. Hon. Member for Chitambo Constituency, you may ask your question.

Mr Mutale: Madam Speaker, may I also tender my condolences to the Mwiimbu family. The Acting Leader of Government Business in the House told the nation that he has the report from the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ). He also told the nation that he will come back and share with us after studying the report. May I know the time frame it will take for the Executive to study the report and when the hon. Minister shall come back to the House to indicate what is contained?

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I think the best answer I can give to the on. Member is that as soon as the review is completed.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mulebwa (Kafulafuta): Madam Speaker, firstly, I tender my condolences to Hon. Jack Mwiimbu and his family through you. I also wish to congratulate the recently elected Member of Parliament of Kabwata together with the United Party for National Development (UPND) for scooping that seat. I also wish to congratulate the Patriotic Front (PF) for accepting defeat graciously.

ELECTRIFICATION OF MUKULUNGWE CLINIC

127. Mr Mulebwa asked the Minister of Energy:

when the Government will electrify the Munkulungwe Clinic in Kafulafuta Parliamentary Constituency; and
what has caused the delay in electrifying the Clinic.

The Minister of Energy (Mr Kapala): Madam Speaker, according to the Rural Electrification Master Plan (REMP), which I had put on the table two or three months ago, Munkulungwe Clinic in Kafulafuta Parliamentary Constituency is scheduled for electrification in 2024. The subsequent electrification of the clinic will be subject to the availability of funds.

Madam Speaker, there has been no delay in electrifying the clinic. As already stated, the clinic will be electrified in 2024.

Madam Speaker, let me take this opportunity to probably add a bit more information just for clarity so that there are no follow-up questions.

Laughter

Mr Kapala: In 2019, the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) conducted feasibility studies for possible electrification of various public institutions and the surrounding areas in Kafulafuta Parliamentary Constituency. The authority plans to implement the Mutaba Grid Extension (MGE) Project at a total cost of K14.5 million. The project involves taping of power from Chondwe Primary School and constructing a total of 21.3km of 33 kV overhead grid lines to supply power to Mutaba Primary School, Mutaba Local Court, the constituency office, Bangwe Primary School and Rural Health Centre, Mutetenshi Primary and surrounding areas. However, the project could not take off due to insufficient funds.

Madam Speaker, the actual implementation of the project will be subject to availability of funds.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mulebwa: Madam Speaker, like any other health institution, Munkulungwe Clinic needs to be electrified because this is the only clinic in the area. The clinic sometimes demands that certain medicines and vaccines be stored in a refrigerator. Therefore, lacking electricity simply means we are going to have this problem going on and on–

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Kafulafuta, a supplementary question is not a time to debate. Please ask your supplementary question.

Mr Mulebwa: Madam Speaker, what are we going to use in the interim because 2024 looks to be quite far?

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, I will answer that question by informing the House that REA has organised a three-day workshop for rural based hon. Members of Parliament so that we can iron out all emergency power supplies, so to speak, so that we can look at the areas that are in need now and adjust our master plan to suit the need.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Anakoka: Madam Speaker, in my constituency, we are interested in this rural electrification programme. There are a couple of learning institutions that were connected through the rural electrification programme. However, due to zero funding by the previous regime, the institutions were not able to access electricity because they could not meet the standard rates that they were being billed every month. Consequently, they have accrued bills. The New Dawn Government has since released money, which among other things would enable them to purchase electricity.

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Luena, please ask your question.

Mr Anakoka: Thank you, Madam Speaker.

laughter

Hon. Member: Procedure!

Mr Anakoka: Madam, these institutions are now unable to purchase electricity from the resources that they are able to access now because they owe ZESCO Limited. Could the ministry intervene to enable them to access electricity while the issue of outstanding bills is being resolved?

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, I am sorry to say that the question is on Kafulafuta. How we have jumped to Luena is something I need to prepare for.

Laughter

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, I will get back to the House when I am ready with the answer.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Thank you very much for that.

Mr Mundubile (Mporokoso): Madam Speaker, may I start by conveying our sincere condolences to our dear brother, the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Mr Mwiimbu on the loss of his son and we pray that the Almighty God continues to give him strength during this very difficult time.

Madam Speaker, let me also take this opportunity to welcome the new Member, Hon. Tayengwa to the House.

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mundubile: I will also take it upon myself to thank President Hakainde Hichilema on the hon. Member’s behalf for all the efforts that he put in to ensure that this particular seat was own.

Laughter

Mr Mundubile: Madam Speaker, in Bemba, we say mwapusukeni, meaning congratulations Mr Tayengwa.

Laughter

Mr Mundubile: Madam Speaker, the question to the hon. Minister of Energy is that given the capital cost that it will take to electrify this clinic and, indeed, the urgency and importance of electrifying Government installations such clinics, is the Government not considering off-grid solutions to ensure that most of these facilities are electrified? I note that it would be very expensive given the time that we are in, to continue maybe with the master plan from the rural electrification programme.

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, off-grid solutions are what we are working on and that is why we have organised this three-day workshop for rural based Members of Parliament to attend so that we see which ones come first and develop on that so that we can adjust the master plan to suit the funds available.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mubika (Shangombo): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister of Energy has just stated that there is going to be a workshop for rural based constituencies. When is this workshop, which we are eagerly waiting for, going to take place and is it also going to be conducted via the hybrid system?

Mr Kapala: Madam Speaker, REA has already written to the Clerk of the National Assembly to organise this workshop on an appropriate date, but tentatively, it is planned for the first week of March. So, hon. Members should be on the lookout for the notices.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Munsanje (Mbabala): Madam Speaker, I was going to ask how soon the workshop will taken place given that our rural clinics and schools have no electricity. Now that we have been given an opportunity, I await to engage the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) during that workshop to connect all the schools and clinics in Mbabala Constituency.

Mr Simushi (Sikongo): Madam Speaker, before I mention the question number, allow me, on behalf of the people of Sikongo Constituency to pass our sincere condolences to the Mwiimbu family on their loss. May the good Lord see them through this difficult time.

Further, Madam, allow me to congratulate the hon. Member for Kabwata Constituency for his resounding victory against all odds. Even when some small parties thought they were going to get Kabwata, they have been taught that they are a party on its way never to come back.

REHABILITATION OF KAFUE HOOK BRIDGE

128. Mr Simushi asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

(a) why the rehabilitation of the Kafue Hook Bridge in the Western Province has stalled;

(b) when the project will resume; and

(c) what measures are being taken to expedite the works, considering that the temporary bridge is in a deplorable condition, thereby, endangering the lives of travellers.

The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi): Madam Speaker, first of all, my admiration for the hon. Member for Chienge who is a very reasonable person, ...

Rev. Katuta: Hear, hear!

Laughter

Eng. Milupi: We had a long chat this morning and we made peace. This is as it should be.

Madam Speaker, the works on the Kafue Hook Bridge on the road from Lusaka to the Western Province had stalled due to delayed payment for works undertaken. The works, however, resumed in December, 2021 upon clearing of outstanding amounts.

Madam, the project resumed in December and works are currently ongoing with current physical progress at 48 per cent and expected to be complete by December, 2022. The project has been allocated K44 million in the 2022 Road Sector Annual Work Plan to ensure that the outstanding works on the project are completed. Furthermore, the contractor on the project has continued to undertake maintenance works on the temporary bridge to ensure that it is safe for road users.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Anakoka: Madam Speaker, the Kafue Hook Bridge is a very important bridge as it lies exactly at the boundary of the Central Province and the Western Province. Thank you very much, hon. Minister (laughs).

Madam, if my memory serves me right, the temporary bridge had a lifespan of about thirty-six months and it has been in use now for over four years. Will the ministry consider, through the Road Development Agency (RDA), putting in place safety measures such as asking travellers to disembark just before crossing that bridge so that we do not only act if and when a disaster was to befall us, especially with the onset of the rains and the river now getting pregnant to extremely dangerous levels?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, first of all, this temporary bridge was commissioned in 2017. It was expected to be in service for only eighteen months, and not thirty-six months. So, it is long overdue and that is why the New Dawn Government has taken this matter very seriously because of the safety aspect. The contractor, as I have said, moved out of site because of non-payment of Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs).

Madam, the seriousness of that situation necessitated that I visit that particular location twice, so far, and that is why the New Dawn Administration released money to ensure that the contractor goes back on site. For in the information of the House and the country, what necessitated the decommissioning of the main bridge was the cracks on all the fives pillars on it. What is being done now is to construct frames that will enable the whole bridge at every one of those five pillars to be lifted up so that the existing pillars will be blasted out in a controlled manner – in fact chemically – and new pillar constructed to hold the main bridge.

Madam Speaker, with regards to the temporary bridge, understanding that it was supposed to last for eighteen months, the contractor on site has been following the instructions and making sure that that bridge is regularly maintained by ensuring that the bolts are tightened and that it is made safe regularly. Safety measures on the bridge include ensuring that it takes one vehicle at a time and before the crossing from either direction, there are weighbridges to ensure that the weight of the vehicles, especially trucks, are kept within limits.

Madam, so, as to whether or not we require to offload people because of what we are doing – I think the hon. Member is talking about people on buses, – you will find that if a thirty-two or thirty-five-tonne truck is allowed to cross, the weight of a bus with its passengers is much less than that tonnage. Therefore, there is no fear at the moment that a disaster can befall us, provided we keep on with the maintenance work that we carry out on the temporary bridge regularly.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan): Madam Speaker, my question has been asked by my hon. Colleague, Hon. Anakoka. However, allow me just to thank the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development for being proactive so far. I can only encourage him to continue working like me, who is younger than him. I can see that he is very energetic.

Laughter

Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of Kalabo, I would like to convey our heartfelt condolences to the Mwiimbu family.

Madam Speaker, the Government decided to undertake renovation works on the Kafue Hook Bridge. What is the implication of this rehabilitation in relation to the life of the bridge? How much life will be added to this bridge after renovation? Will this bridge be a new bridge or still be a second-hand bridge which is a result of renovation and how many years are we expected to use the bridge.

Eng Milupi: Madam Speaker, the lifespan of a bridge or any infrastructure is determined first of all by design perimeters. However, not only that, when you have rehabilitation for any infrastructure, it increase the lifespan of that infrastructure. In fact, in engineering terms, whether it is mobile equipment or infrastructure, when you carry out a thorough and complete rehabilitation, we normally say you increase the lifespan to 80 per cent of the lifespan of the new infrastructure provided your cost of undertaking that rehabilitation is around 60 per cent of the cost of the new item or infrastructure.

Madam Speaker, with regard to this particular bridge, the issue there was that the five pillars holding the bridge, all of them were cracked. What is being done now is to lift the whole bridge from the pillars so that we can remove those pillars and begin the process of rebuilding them from the bottom right up to where they are holding the bridge. The bridge itself is intact.

Madam Speaker, so in terms of lifespan, I expect that we shall get many more years provided that the job is done properly and we have satisfied ourselves together with the consultant on site that the job is being done properly.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Lubozha (Chifubu): Madam Speaker, allow me to pass my congratulations to the newly elected hon. Member of Parliament for Kabwata.

Madam Speaker, once again, I wish to follow up on this Kafue Hook Bridge. From the time the rehabilitation works were undertaken, the time frame was set considering that there was a temporary bridge that was to be used for a period of eighteen months. Now that that period has been exceeded, it means the works stalled at a particular period of time. Therefore, if work stalled at a particular period of time, what are the cost implications because work was not completed in the stipulated time frame? If the cost is known, how much is it?

Eng Milupi: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member is quite right. This is one of the issues that this Government has to deal with. A number of contracts were issued by our predecessors; the Government of the people opposite or the party opposite. Since there were so many contracts issued with no backing finances or revenues to support those, a number of these contracts were suspended. In fact, an announcement was made that those infrastructure projects that had not reached 80 per cent completion were to be suspended. Some of them were downgraded or re-scoped. The result of this is that there were many expenses or costs associated with those paying sheets including demobilisation and contracts stand time. This is part of the huge costs that this Government has to deal with. Specifically, for costs associated with this particular project, you would have to ask a separate question so that we give accurate figures. However, I assure the hon. Member that on every project that was suspended there have been costs associated with that.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, let me also welcome my hon. Colleague, a personal friend of mine, Hon. Tayengwa, who survived a very competitive election without saying a word to the electorates. For that, I welcome and congratulate the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema for winning on behalf of Hon. Tayengwa.

Madam Speaker: Order!

Ms Katuta: On a point of order, Madam.

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Ms Katuta: Madam Speaker, thank you for giving me this opportunity to rise on a point of order, it being my first point of order in this session.

Madam Speaker, Standings Order 206 (2) talks about the official dress for female hon. Members. I rise on a point order on the hon. Minister of Information and Media. We are not allowed to wear regalia, but I have seen that she is wearing my regalia. That is my colour. I need your serious ruling, Madam Speaker.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: I am sure that is on a lighter note.

Laughter

Ms Kasanda: Who is wearing regalia here? Me?

Madam Speaker: Order!

It was on a lighter note.

Laughter

Ms Kasanda: Those light moments should be taken, ...

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Chama South, please proceed.

UPGRADING OF BULI BASIC SCHOOL

129. Mr Mung’andu asked the Minister of Education:

whether the Government has any plans to upgrade Buli Basic School in Chama South Parliamentary Constituency to a secondary school;
if so, when the plans will be implemented;
whether the Government has any plans to deploy additional teachers to all primary schools in the Constituency; and
if so, when the plans will be implemented.

The Minister of Education (Mr Syakalima): Madam Speaker, the Government has no immediate plans to upgrade Buli Basic School in Chama South Parliamentary Constituency to a secondary school because of the poor transition rate of 17 per cent at Grade 9. Further, there are only two community feeder schools, and therefore, the number of learners from the feeder schools does not justify expanding the basic school to a secondary school. The House should note that out of the twenty-three learners in the three schools who reached Grade 9, only four pupils proceeded to Grade 10. These pupils can easily be accommodated at Chama Boarding Secondary School.

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

Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to deploy additional teachers to all primary schools countywide equitably, and Chama South Parliamentary Constituency is no exception.

Madam Speaker, the plans will be implemented in 2022 where 30,000 teachers are earmarked for recruitment.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has clearly stated that there is a poor rate of progression from Grade 9 to Grade 10 of 17 per cent. He has pointed out that out of twenty-six or twenty-nine pupils, only four made it. The reason is very simple: in almost all primary schools, we have one or two teachers teaching classes from Grade 1 to Grade 9. The hon. Minister has said that the Government will deploy teachers to Chama South this year as it employs the 30,000 teachers. Which month should we expect these teachers during this year, so that our pupils can access quality education and improve on that poor progression rate? Which month, hon. Minister?

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, as it were, the process is going on and the House will be informed when the process finishes. So, the timeline will be communicated to the House.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Munir Zulu (Lumezi): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has given a reason for the low progression rate. Is it the Government’s policy not to develop or deploy teachers to those areas where there is a low progression rate?

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, this is why this year, we will be employing 30,000 teachers. The hon. Member is right. Over the years, there was neglect. We have a deficit of 45,000 teachers in this country yet we have 50,000 teachers roaming the streets. Over the years, if we had been offloading even 5,000 teachers every year, we could have had no deficit at all. However, because of the behaviour of the last Government where out of a backdrop of 50,000 teachers, it was employing 1,200, we have this deficit. Just last year, the Government employed 1,200 teachers. How would you distribute these teachers? Therein lies the attraction of corruption. There are 50,000 teachers on the street and then you go and attract just 1,200. It is not possible. So, even when we are employing 30,000, we still have a deficit of 50,000 teachers. I am sure you are happy that the New Dawn Government has leap-jumped the number of teachers it is employing from 1,200 teachers or sometimes 1,300 or 1,400 teachers to 30,000. So I am sure that the people from his constituency will have a fair share. I said the teachers will be deployed equitably, meaning that we shall see where the pupil-teacher ratio is high. For example, when I was touring schools, I could not believe that there are some schools where the teacher-pupil ratio is 1 –

Interjections

Mr Saykalima: No. It is 104. Yes, and in some cases it is 1:120. So, there was mischief over the years. We want to progressively make sure that even the 15,000 teachers within three years –

Hon. Member: No. That is too much.

Mr Syakalima: What is too much?

Laughter

Mr Syakalima: Do you know me?

Madam Speaker: Order!

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, we will make sure that every child has quality education. That is where it starts from. It is, indeed, true, Hon. Mung’andu, that if you have no teachers, you will not have quality education. So, those of us who believe in quality education have provided 30,000 teachers, and we are hoping that within a short period of time, the deficit will be reduced. So, all of you must be very happy.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Menyani Zulu (Nyimba): Madam Speaker, I sympathise with our children and nieces in Chama South. I want to ask the hon. Minister of Education a simple question and a very difficult question. I know it might be difficult for him to answer because he is not there on the ground. The issue in Chama South is the same issue in my constituency, which is Nyimba Constituency. We fall under the same terrain –

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Nyimba, let us concentrate on the question on Chama South Constituency. Let us not bring in Nyimba. Nyimba is very far away; maybe you can put in your own question.

Mr Menyani Zulu: Madam Speaker, I will ask a question on Chama South. Is there a deliberate policy to protect our children? The hon. Minister has said that the progression rate is very low in those areas, but the reason for this is very simple: the teachers deployed to those areas run away because there are elephants and lions. The teachers cannot stand the pressure of an elephant making noise this side and a lion making noise on the other side. We have new graduates from the same areas and they are seated at home. Has the Government come up with a deliberate policy to see to it that those teachers are given first priority to be employed there? If he checks the establishments, he will find that the establishments are full but there are no teachers. Has the Government come up with a deliberate policy to give chance to the teachers who come from those areas?

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, let me assure the hon. Member that no one will run away this time around because rules are being made. If you are given a job, you stay where you are given a job.

Madam Speaker, I assure you that no one will run away this time around because rules are being made. If you are given a job, you have to stay where you have been given a job. No one is going to run away, that I can assure you. The mechanism is going to be watertight. Those of you who are planning to go and get a place in Nyimba thinking you will run away, you will not. So, so do not even attempt that.

I thank you, Madam.

Madam Speaker: I think we are very slow today. So, for the sake of progress, we move to the next question.

Mr Ngowani (Mpongwe): Madam Speaker, on behalf of the people of Mpongwe Constituency, I convey my sincere condolences to the Mwiimbu family on the loss of their son.

WATER RETICULATION PROJECT IN MPONGWE

130. Mr Ngowani asked the Minister of Water Development and Sanitation:

when the water reticulation project under construction in Mpongwe District will be completed;
what the total cost of the project is;
how much money was paid to the contractor, as of September, 2021; and
what the time frame for the completion of the project is.

The Minister of Water Development and Sanitation (Mr Mposha): Madam Speaker, the water reticulation project in Mpongwe District is part of the Kafulafuta Water Supply System Project which is currently under suspension due to delayed release of funds. The project will be completed within twelve months of resumption of works.

Madam, the total cost of the water reticulation project under construction in Mpongwe District is US$3.2 million. The total amount paid to the contractor as of September, 2021, stood at US$823,869.63.

Madam Speaker, the time frame for the completion of the project is twelve months from the resumption of works.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Ngowani: Madam Speaker, in Mpongwe District, we are discouraging people from digging shallow wells. People in my constituency want to know whether this contract will be undertaken this year.

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, as I indicated, the Mpongwe Project is part of the Kafulafuta Water Supply System Project whose overall cost is US$449 million. A lot of works have been done on the overall project to a tune of almost 87 per cent of the total project. We are having discussions with a view to revive the project. Therefore, I assure the hon. Member of Parliament and the people of Mpongwe that as soon as we complete our discussions, we should be able to indicate the positions. However, it is the desire of the Government to ensure that this project in which a lot of money has been spent is completed.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr J Chibuye: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the cool and straight forward answers. I also thank him for having taken his time to coming to do a due diligence visit on the same project.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister mentioned that the project will be revamped by the Government pumping in money, especially that 87 per cent of the project has so far been done. I am interested because the same project will be feeding my constituency. Could the hon. Minister state as to whether once the project starts, his ministry will maintain the same main contractor and the sub-contractors who were engaged, especially on the sub-contractors knowing very well that a proper job was not done. There was no equity when the 20 per cent sub-contracting works were being given to the local contractors. Could the hon. Minister shed some light on the sub-contracting works. Is he going to revisit the list of those who were sub-contracted?

Madam Speaker: Let us always make sure that the questions are short, precise and to the point.

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, let me also take this opportunity to thank the hon. Members of Parliament including the Member of Parliament for Roan, Mpongwe, Masaiti and Ndola Central who did come through when we went to visit this particular project. Thank you so much.

Madam Speaker, coming to the question, yes, on the main contractor, I want to confirm that this contractor has done a lot of work on this project. Like I said, the works done are up to 87 per cent. The suspension of this project was not on account of the contractor but on delayed release of funds. Therefore, it is our desire as Government to proceed and finish off this project with the main contractor.

Madam, as for the sub-contractors, our position as a ministry is that we took note of the fact that there was no fairness and equity in the distribution of sub-contraction and I have since given instructions to our utility companies in all the provinces to ensure that changes are made which changes will address the aspect of equity in the sharing of the contracts.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Lubozha: Madam Speaker, considering the significance of the project; being the biggest project ever taken by the country in terms of water development in our country and also considering the number of constituencies, which is eight, that could be the beneficiaries when this project is completed, could the hon. Minister give us hope as Members of Parliament from various constituencies that are beneficiaries by stating when the project will resume because we remain expectant of this project and the services it will offer top our constituencies.

Mr Mposha: Madam Speaker, I cannot state categorically as to when we shall be able to revamp the project but suffice it for me to say that we have had discussions and these discussions have advanced. I assure the hon. Member of Parliament for Chifubu that as soon as we finalise these discussions, I should be able to communicate when the project will start, but it will be quite soon.

Madam Speaker, just to emphasise a lot of money has gone into this project. We have spent way over US$280.8 million already paid out on this project and additional works of US$101 million have already been done. The works remaining are just for a period of twelve months. We would not want to delay further. So, as soon as we finish these discussions, we should be able to indicate when the project will be revamped.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES ACCESSING AFFORDABLE LOANS

131. Mr Chanda (Kanchibiya) asked the Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development:

what measures the Government is taking to ensure that Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) access affordable financing, considering that commercial bank interest rates are very high; and
what measures the Government is taking to create market linkages and value chains for SMEs.

The Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development (Mr Mubanga): Madam Speaker, the Government is undertaking the following measures to ensure the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) have access to affordable financing:

increasing the empowerment fund administered by the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC). The Government has in the 2022 Budget increased the allocation to the empowerment fund from K41 million in the 2021 Budget to K350 million in 2022;
encouraging local financial institutions and banks to relax conditionalities and enhance their products for SMEs. For instance, INDO Zambia Bank Limited has so far allocated K500 million to the SMEs Scheme to be accessed by SMEs in all sectors;
partnering with international financial institutions and cooperating partners providing financial support to small and medium scale enterprises; and
facilitating through the Zambia Credit Guarantee the guaranteeing of SME borrowing.

Madam Speaker, the Government is undertaking the following measures to create market linkages and value chains for Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs):

the value chain development programme. Under this programme, the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) identifies and prioritises value chains in each of the ten provinces based on the advantage each province has in terms of abundance of natural resources. The value chain programme rolled out so far are the Dairy Value Chain in the Southern, Muchinga, North-Western and Copperbelt provinces and the Beef Value Chain Project in the Southern Province;
the Government through the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and the Zambia Agribusiness and Trade Project have facilitated SMEs in the agricultural sector access markets through linkages to various chain stores and large companies. Under this programme, SMEs are trained on product development, how to keep business records, costing and pricing of their products and networking in order to meet the market demand where one or two farmers may not be able to;
championing the promotion of consumption of Zambian products through the “Buy Zambia Campaign”. The “Buy Zambia Campaign” is an initiative being spearheaded by the Government which is meant to change the negative perception that local people have about goods produced in Zambia. Through this crusade, the Government intends to equip the SMEs to ensure that they are able to produce products which will be attractive to local people; and
developing programmes focused on inclusive business partnerships between large and small firms that have a direct positive impact on micro, small and medium businesses. These include but not limited to local content initiatives in order to create conditions that will compel larger companies in growth sectors to include participation of Zambian SMEs in their businesses.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Chanda: Madam Speaker, allow me to thank the hon. Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development on his response. If you allow me, I would be gratified for the hon. Minister to ensure that when we speak about the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) and the loans being disbursed, we must be very categorical in stating that a very good number of these loans ought to be non collateral-based because the majority of our SMEs do not have access to and have no collateral as CEEC will demand. My question would have to do with trade linkages as well as value chains. I would request the hon. Minister, my good brother, that we take advantage of the narrative that has obtained that Zambia is strategically positioned, surrounded by eight neighbouring countries. We have talked about the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Africa, Angola and so many other countries as a viable market for Zambia and the SMEs ought to have space therein. What the SMEs are looking for are trade deals.

Hon. UPND Members: What is your question?

Mr Chanda: What do we bring to the table?

Madam Speaker: Order, Hon. Member for Kanchibiya!

Please, ask your question.

Mr Chanda: I am guided, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: It is not time for debate.

Ask a straight forward, short and precise question. You may proceed.

Mr Chanda: I am guided, Madam Speaker.

May I know if there are any trade deals that the ministry has entered into in the region which SMEs in different categories or sectors could tap into?

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, first and foremost, I would like to hint on where the hon. Member said SMEs may not be able to tap into CEEC funds. We have another facility; INDO Zambia Bank has entered into an agreement with my ministry and SMEs have been encouraged to apply. We have the first K20,000 that SMEs can actually access without any collateral. With regards to other initiatives that the hon. Member talked about, I inform the House that we have an understanding with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and that border will be opened to the Zambian SMEs to go and trade in there.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mundubile: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister is running a very important ministry which if properly managed, can actually change the fortunes of this economy. I appreciate your value chain initiative that the ministry is taking up. However, I still think we are avoiding tackling the sectors where the economy matters. From experience, it is very difficult to grow small businesses organically in a small market like Zambia.

Madam Speaker, we have looked at different sectors like the mining sector where we have seen youths going up and down from different mines where there is sugilite and manganese. Is the ministry going to be very deliberate by engaging other sectors and ministries so that what they give to the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are opportunities in these sectors? For instance, just licenses. If the youths are given licences, there may be no need for SMEs to begin to look for cheap financing. Just those licences will make them attractive enough to get international partnerships. Is the Government considering these synergies?

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, my ministry is working closely with the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development. Many SMEs have been encouraged to come through to my ministry. We recommend the SMEs to access the licences through the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development. That is very close. I need to mention that women are encouraged so much to venture into small scale mining. If they identify an area, they should come through my ministry. We are encouraging the Zambian women and youth to come through. We will guide them and they will be able to get the licences.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mtayachalo (Chama North): Madam Speaker, does the New Dawn Government have plans to recapitalise the National Savings and Credit Bank (NSCB) and other financial institutions where the Government has got the largest stake so that the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are able to access these loans at affordable rates? This is because we are all alive to the fact that commercial banks are charging very exorbitant lending rates hence suffocating the infant industries.

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, my ministry and the Ministry of Finance and National Planning have engaged the banks. We had a very fruitful meeting with the banks. We encouraged them to come up with the package for the small and medium businesses.

Madam Speaker, very soon, I will able to come in the House and announce that small and medium businesses will be able to get these loans at very affordable rates.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Munsanje: Madam Speaker, I also wish to extend my condolences to Hon. Mwiimbu and the family. I wish them God’s strength during this trying time. I also wish to congratulate Hon. Tayengwa and welcome him to the House. My sincere condolences to the Patriotic Front (PF) and others who did not make it. That is the beauty of democracy.

Madam Speaker, coming to my question for the hon. Minister of Small and Medium Enterprise Development, Choma, particularly Mbabala Constituency has previously been listed under the Citizens Economic Empowerment Commission (CEEC) for receiving applications in the area of beef, milk and I think, one other product which I cannot remember. Is CEEC going to allow innovation this time around as the funds have increased? I congratulate the hon. Minister for increasing the amount from K31 million to K350 million. That is a lot. So, is CEEC going to allow innovation to allow Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in rural areas like Mbabala Constituency to send applications for many other economic activities that suit the rural areas other than just those which were previously listed by CEEC?

Madam Speaker: I hope the hon. Minister did get the question.

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, I need to say something here; CEEC was abused in the previous regime. However, now we are working out a system where everyone, including Mbabala and to the rest of the country will be able to access funding from CEEC. We are also working on the management. CEEC did not perform well because of politics into it. However, I assure you that that this time around, the New Dawn Government has put measures in place that will enable CEEC to perform. Even our people in rural areas will be able to access the financing from CEEC.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Sampa (Matero): Madam Speaker, may I join the Leader of the Opposition in passing condolences on behalf of the people of Matero to the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Hon. Jack Mwiimbu. May parents never have to bury their sons or daughters. May God give him and his family strength.

Madam Speaker, I am not sure if it happens in Shiwang’andu, but in Matero, most Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are borrowing or financing their businesses using what they call village banking. Is that something he is aware of as Minister and if so, how does he hope to support village banking?

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, my ministry has an institution called Village Industry Service and we want to get into the rural areas to try and help people understand first and foremost, financial management and also try and see if we can give out some very soft loans to the people of Matero and Shiwang’andu.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Wamunyima (Nalolo): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for giving the good people of Nalolo an opportunity to ask a follow up question. May I join my fellow Members of Parliament in extending condolences to the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security. Indeed, may he be comforted.

Madam Speaker, I am asking a direct question with regards to value chains and market linkages. In the first Republic, we had what was called the National Agriculture Marketing Board (NAMBOARD). How is he doing that in his ministry as he has explained about creating value chains? Under what specific mechanism is he doing it? Seeing that this is a new ministry which does not have presence in all the areas of this country, including in the constituency I represent, how is this information flowing to the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)?

Mr Mubanga: Madam Speaker, my ministry has got a department for cooperative development in every district in the country. Our officers in all districts are trying and reach out to our people. That is what we are doing.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Halwiindi (Kabwe Central): Madam Speaker, first of all, I want to congratulate our brother, the hon. Member of Parliament for Kabwata and welcome him to the progressive party, a party which is civilised and does not look at colour or tribe. I hope by now, our hon. Colleague knows that we are uniting people.

Madam, may I also convey my condolences to our hon. Minister on the loss of his son.

PROCUREMENT OF EQUIPMENT FOR KABWE CENTRAL HOSPITAL

132. Ms Halwiindi asked the Minister of Health:

when the Government will procure the following equipment for Kabwe Central Hospital:

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan;

Renal Dialysis Machines; and

X-ray machines;

b. whether the Government has any plans to increase funding to the Hospital, following its elevation from general hospital to central hospital; and

c. if so, when the plans will be implemented.

The Minister of Health (Mrs Masebo): Madam Speaker, before I take to the Floor on this question, may I join my hon. Colleagues in expressing condolences to our brother, Hon. Mwiimbu, the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security on the loss of his dear son.

Madam Speaker, I want to also register condolences to the family of a gallant son of Zambia; the former Cabinet Minister, Hon. Kaunda Lembalemba, who has been put to rest today. May their souls rest in peace.

Madam Speaker, on a happy note, may I congratulate our brother, the hon. Member for Kabwata for a job well done and he is most welcome. We pray and hope that he will add value to this House and in particular the people of Kabwata.

Madam Speaker, in answering the question posed by the hon. Member of Parliament for Kabwe Central; Ms. Halwiindi, the procurement of the Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan is planned for the second quarter of 2022. The House may wish to note that the Ministry of Health has a budget line in 2022 for procurement of medical equipment and Treasury has already started releasing these funds in line with the Ministry of Health cash flow projections.

Madam Speaker, the renal dialysis machines at Kabwe Central Hospital will be acquired through placement agreements, which allows the vendor to install the equipment while the Government procures reagents. The installation of the renal dialysis is expected to be undertaken in the second quarter of 2022.

Madam Speaker, as stated, the procurement of the X-ray machine is part of the overall procurement of equipment to be undertaken in the second quarter of 2022.

Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to increase the budget allocation to the hospital following its elevation from a general hospital to a central hospital.

Madam Speaker, the Government in the 2022 Budget has increased the allocation for the hospital by 37 per cent, from K3,878,632.50 in 2021 to K5,310,538.55 in 2022.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Ms Halwiindi: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the well elaborate answers to my question. The people of Kabwe Central are very happy that at least these machines will be bought in the second quarter of 2022. With regards to the renal dialysis unit, the hon. Minister stated that the vendor installs the equipment while the Government procures reagents. Does this mean that this machine will be for fee-paying?

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, no they will not be for fee-paying. Basically, the vendors normally install these dialysis machines and what we do is just buy reagents from the same vendors. So, really, the cost is in the commodities that you use and not the equipment.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Mumba (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, allow me to also join hon. Members who are sending their messages of condolences to the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security and also to congratulate our hon. Colleague from Kabwata.

Madam Speaker, these pieces of equipment that the hon. Minister has just talked about are very critical to most hospitals. Speaking for Ronald Ross Hospital, we equally have similar problems. Is there a general strategy that the hon. Minister can share with this House so that we all know when we are going to have our equipment installed? The other critical component that is missing is the servicing of this costly equipment and looking after it so that it stays longer in these hospitals.

Madam Speaker: The general statement will call for a ministerial statement. We are now talking about Kabwe Central Hospital. Maybe the hon. Minister can answer in relation to the servicing of this equipment at Kabwe Central Hospital.

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, as you have guided, I think it will be better that I just come with a ministerial statement which can take into account the general supply and installation of equipment because this issue of equipment such as CT scans and X-rays is a problem in almost all the districts. So, I may mislead the hon. Member unless he asks a specific question. So, if the hon. Member asks a question, that would help me to be specifically state which hospitals or districts will benefit this year.

Madam Speaker, with regards to the renal dialysis machines, the ministry had, for some time, engaged two companies that were fitting the equipment and these companies were also responsible for the maintenance of the equipment. Ours was simply to get back to the vendors and buy the reagents.

Ms Halwiindi: Madam Speaker, first of all, I want to congratulate our brother, the hon. Member of Parliament for Kabwata and welcome him to the progressive party, a party which is civilised and does not look at colour or tribe. I hope by now, our hon. Colleague knows that we are uniting people.

Madam, may I also convey my condolences to our hon. Minister on the loss of his son.

PROCUREMENT OF EQUIPMENT FOR KABWE CENTRAL HOSPITAL

132. Ms Halwiindi asked the Minister of Health:

when the Government will procure the following equipment for Kabwe Central Hospital:

Computed Tomography (CT) Scan;

Renal Dialysis Machines; and

X-ray machines;

b. whether the Government has any plans to increase funding to the Hospital, following its elevation from general hospital to central hospital; and

c. if so, when the plans will be implemented.

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, before I take to the Floor on this question, may I join my hon. Colleagues in expressing condolences to our brother, Hon. Mwiimbu, the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security on the loss of his dear son.

Madam Speaker, as stated, the procurement of the X-ray machine is part of the overall procurement of equipment to be undertaken in the second quarter of 2022.

Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to increase the budget allocation to the hospital following its elevation from a general hospital to a central hospital.

Madam Speaker, the Government in the 2022 Budget has increased the allocation for the hospital by 37 per cent, from K3,878,632.50 in 2021 to K5,310,538.55 in 2022.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Mumba: Madam Speaker, allow me to also join hon. Members who are sending their messages of condolences to the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security and also to congratulate our hon. Colleague from Kabwata.

These reagents are commodities that you need to make use of the equipment. So, the maintenance of these particular dialysis machines is done by the people that supply them. However, they do not come cheap, I must tell you. One has to buy very expensive reagents to be able to service just one patient.

Madam, regarding the maintenance of other equipment, that again, is an issue that covers most of the equipment in some of the hospitals that were acquired in the past years or decades. We have a situation where you cannot get spares for some of them. In some cases, agreements with the suppliers for maintenance were not renewed and so, over the years, you find that most of the equipment is not usable anymore.

Madam Speaker, going forward, the policy of the New Dawn Government is not to get equipment that has no after-sale service. We have to make sure that we get equipment that can be maintained and fixed so that we have value for money.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Sampa: Madam Speaker, thank you for this opportunity. I guarantee that I will not bring in the issue of Matero Level I Hospital in this question of Kabwe General Hospital.

Madam, the hon. Minister of Health is passionate about this area. The Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan, dialysis machine and X-ray machine are must-have machines for any district hospital. Could the hon. Minister confirm that once they are procured for Kabwe General Hospital, the queues in the peripheral hospitals in the entire district of Kabwe will minimise in the same way the queues at Matero Level I Hospital would minimise?

Laughter

Madam Speaker: The stretching of questions!

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, I think the hon. Member of Parliament for Matero is trying to show that he is a very experienced Member of Parliament and he has ways of getting answers.

Madam, truthfully speaking, the equipment that we are talking about for Kabwe should be in all our provincial hospitals, including district hospitals, but we have not, as a nation, invested in equipment for decades. We are now expecting that we should be able to do that throughout the country in one Budget. However, that may not be possible.

However, I assure the House that this New Dawn Administration is desirous of getting to where the hon. Member is talking about. Once we deal with issues of nkongoles and the like, we will get there. That is why His Excellency the President is moving, it is to try and get support. So far, goodwill is there and we shall be able to see the fruits of some of these trips this year.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: There was a mention of the word nkongole for those who do not know.

Mrs Masebo: I said nkongole?

Mr Nkombo: They know it better. The PF know!

Mrs Masebo: What is the meaning –

Hon. Government Members: Debt.

Mrs Masebo: It means debt, Madam Speaker.

Mr Katakwe (Solwezi East): Madam Speaker, may I also, through you, convey my deep condolences to the Mwiimbu family.

Madam, looking at the woes that go with the X-rays and Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan and, indeed, even the Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), the cost, maintenance, use and so on, does the ministry intend to engage or come up with a nuclear hub for nuclear medicine because these machines require to be operated by scientists who have the understanding of nuclear medicine in order to treat patients effectively and efficiently. Is the ministry considering bringing in a nuclear medicine college or university or incorporating that in the University of Zambia (UNZA) through the school of medicine?

Madam Speaker: I am sure that question has taken the hon. Minister by surprise. If the hon. Member for Solwezi East wants to know more about nuclear medicine, he can put in another question.

Mr Hamwaata (Pemba): Madam Speaker, may I take this opportunity to congratulate the people of Kabwata, the hon. Member for Kabwata; Hon. Tayengwa and the Members of Parliament for the United Party for National Development (UPND) who worked so tirelessly to make sure that we win the by-election. May I also congratulate those of our hon. Colleagues on the left who supported us.

Hon. Opposition Members: Question!

Mr Hamwaata: Madam Speaker, may I take this opportunity to convey my sincere condolences to Hon. Jack Mwiimbu on the loss of his son.

CONSTRUCTION OF MODERN POLICE STATION IN PEMBA DISTRICT

133. Mr Hamwaata asked the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security:

(a) whether the Government has any plans to build a modern police station in Pemba District;

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

(c) if there are no such plans, why?

The Minister of Education (Mr Syakalima) (on behalf of the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security (Mr Mwiimbu)): Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to construct a modern police station and staff houses in Pemba District. The plans to construct a modern police station will be implemented when ongoing infrastructure projects that are 80 per cent and above are completed and when the funds are made available.

Madam, the answer to part (c) of the question is as the answer to part (a).

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Hamwaata: Madam Speaker, I think the people of Pemba are very happy. We have no question.

Laughter

PROCUREMENT OF DESKS FOR SCHOOLS IN CHIENGE DISTRICT

134. Rev. Katuta asked the Minister of Education:

(a) when the Government will procure desks for schools in Chienge District; and

(b) what the cause of the delay in procuring the desks is.

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, the procuring of school furniture such as desks is an ongoing process and the Government will provide desks to Chienge District when funds are available. However, you may wish to know that the Government has been rehabilitating desks across the country. Luapula Province received K600,000 for the rehabilitation of desks from which 1,620 double and 350 single seater desks have been rehabilitated. From the above consignment, Chienge District was given 120 desks which have been distributed to the schools.

Madam, the provision of desks is hampered by financial constraints.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: Order!

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.

_______

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

Ms Katuta: Madam Speaker, I bring to the attention of the hon. Minister the fact that we have schools where children sit on the floor. When will the Government help us with just a few more desks for these schools which have been constructed like community schools and have classes from Grade 1 to Grade 9?

Mr Syakalima: Madam Speaker, like I said earlier, we are rehabilitating about 600,000 desks and we are still doing that. However, as a cushion, if you still recall, part of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) should be used to procure desks, especially those that are made locally. They may be cheaper than the desks that are sometimes made by these big manufactures.

Madam Speaker, just to indicate to the House, this is, indeed, a big problem for the country. This is because we were not procuring desks for a long time. The country had a shortfall of school furniture starting from early childhood education to secondary school. For single seater desks, we have a shortfall of 32,717 and a shortfall of 1,011,989 for the double seater desks. From the way we are talking, you can see that many schools do not have desks and children are sitting on the floor, and that is because we were not buying desks for the schools. The population was growing but we were not buying furniture. These numbers that I am giving you are as at July, 2020. So, this time around, with the opening of other schools, it means that the numbers have already increased from 2020 to 2021.

So, it is another fight to correct this ill that, over the years, has just been looked at. This is what I call neglect. If you provide teachers and children do not have somewhere to sit, learning becomes difficult. So, we must provide desks. Some of the desks will be done by the Central Government but most of them should be purchased using the CDF; the 60 per cent which goes to either the construction of schools or teachers houses and also for the learners themselves.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mabenga (Mulobezi): Madam Speaker, first of all, greetings from the good people of Mulobezi. I also join my hon. Colleagues in thanking the new hon. Member of Parliament for Kabwata for the job well done. Furthermore, the people of Mulobezi mourn with Hon. Mwiimbu on the loss of his son.

DEPLORABLE STATE OF THE MULOBEZI RAILWAY LINE

135. Mr Mabenga asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

whether the Government is aware that Mulobezi Railway Line, which is the only reliable means of transport between Livingstone and Mulobezi Districts, is in a deplorable state;

if so, what measures the Government is taking to restore connectivity between the two districts;

when the Railway Line will be rehabilitated; and

whether the rehabilitation will include reconstructing the Bombwe Bridge.

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I inform the House that yes, the Government is aware of the current state of the Mulobezi Railway Line as annual inspections to ascertain technical status of all railway infrastructure and rolling stock are conducted. The annual inspection this year, indicated among others the deplorable state of the Bombwe Bridge making it impossible for the train to pass through.

Madam Speaker, first let me state that regardless of the current technical state of the railway line, there has never been a total disruption in the provision of train services on the Mulobezi Railway Line. Zambia Railways Limited has been providing mixed; that is goods and passengers, train services on the line.

Further, the Government has put in the following measures to ensure continuous provision of railway services on the Mulobezi Railway Line:

the Government has guided Zambia Railways Limited to operate a train from Livingstone and terminate at Bombwe Bridge while the train from Mulobezi terminates just before Bombwe Bridge and the people and goods from both trains are transhipped; and

in the short term, the Government is in the process of mobilising to facilitate the reconstruction of the Bombwe Bridge.

Madam, the Government has prioritised the rehabilitation and modernisation of the Zambia Railway Line. The rehabilitation of the Mulobezi Railway Line will be undertaken together with that of the Zambia Railway main line in order to bring it to the same service level. Feasibility studies were done and the contracts are being negotiated.

Madam Speaker, the Government has classified the current state of the Bombwe Bridge as urgent and is therefore, planning to reconstruct the bridge prior to the full rehabilitation of the Mulobezi Railway Line. The Government has already embarked on mobilisation of funds to facilitate reconstruction of the bridge. The reconstruction works are expected to commence as soon as funds are released.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Mr Mwanza (Kaumbwe): Madam Speaker, the people of Kaumbwe extend their sincere condolences to the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security on the loss of our dear son. The people of Kaumbwe would also like to extend their heartfelt congratulations to the hon. Member for Kabwata Constituency for having won the by-election that recently happened. This is the beauty of democracy. It happened that in Kaumbwe Constituency, we won immediately after the United Party for National Development (UPND) formed Government. The time that the UPND was sleeping, we won Kaumbwe Constituency, and the time that the Patriotic Front (PF) was celebrating the Kaumbwe victory, we were sleeping in Kabwata and the UPND won the seat.

Madam Speaker, the Mulobezi/Livingstone Railway Line right now is definitely operating without safety because Bombwe Bridge is an obstacle. The Mulobezi/Livingstone Railway Line is an integral system of the whole railway system in Zambia. Are there any measures that the Government has taken through Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects? Are there any proposals that the Government is negotiating for the rehabilitation of the railway network in the nation, including the Mulobezi Railway Line and the eastern railway line from Muchinji to Serenje? These railway lines have been on the books. I was one of the people who participated in the feasibility studies of all these railway lines. I think the biggest problem is funds. Does the Government have any PPP proposals it is negotiating?

Madam Speaker: The hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development may answer only the question in relation to Mulobezi Railway Line.

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I did state that as part of the rehabilitation of the Zambia Railway Line, this particular line, which is Mulobezi Railway Line, would also be included. In terms of that rehabilitation of the railway line, which is Lot I, which is a total of 650 km, this is Livingstone to Kafue and Choma to Masuku and it also includes the Livingstone to Mulobezi route, which is 163 km. Feasibility studies were done and the contracts are being negotiated at the moment. Lot II which covers the other part right up to Chililabombwe, feasibility studies were done and the contracts are being negotiated. Indeed, the inspections, as I said, have revealed that this is difficult. I think the hon. Member for Kaumbwe was our youngest baby but now he has been overtaken by another one from Kabwata.

Madam Speaker, yes, indeed, there are plans on the main railway line from Livingstone all the way to Chingola. In fact, we are undertaking discussions with a contractor to completely rehabilitate this particular railway line. At the moment, this particular contractor is on an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract basis, but we are also considering using the PPP model. However, a PPP depends on the appetite of investors; they have to know that it is commercially viable and so on. What we have said is that as part of the rehabilitation of the railway line from Livingstone all the way to Chingola, in fact, I would say all the way to Chililabombwe, is that the sphere into Mulobezi can also be included so that we do a complete job and also undertake this particular one. As to whether we shall succeed in getting a PPP, I think that remains to be seen. However, we are actively engaging interested contractors on this particular project.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Sampa: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for answering the question from Hon. Mabenga. I think the gist of that question was whether the hon. Minister was aware, and ,indeed, he is, of what needs to be done there.

Madam Speaker, I think anyone with grey hair has passion and emotional attachment to the Mulobezi Railway Line. The other railway line which people know from the old era of the United National Independence Party (UNIP) is the Njanji Railway Line in Matero that brings people here from the industrial area –

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Matero!

Let us not expand the questions too much because we are running out of time. We still have other questions. Just ask a question in relation to Mulobezi Railway Line, the connectivity between Livingstone and Mulobezi District. If there is no question, maybe we can skip and go to the next question.

You may proceed.

Mr Sampa: Much obliged, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker, even after the Mulobezi/Livingstone Railway Line is completed, this railway line will be a white elephant if there will be no goods from Livingstone to Lusaka. Are there plans to legislate that all goods coming out of Mulobezi into Livingstone should use the railway line and goods from Livingstone to Lusaka and the Copperbelt should use the railway line so that we save the roads?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member for Matero is right to raise these matters. The intention of this Government is to ensure that the railway lines are properly rehabilitated, but in order for them to take some of the cargo from the road networks, the railway lines have to be made attractive in terms of efficiency of service and the speed at which the cargo can move. We are fully aware of this, and these factors form part of our negotiations. The Mulobezi Railway Line mainly carries people, as the question stipulates, but we shall also make sure that it is operational. The hon. Member is right that this is a historical railway line. There is a lot of attachment to the history of this particular railway line. We shall work on it.

Madam Speaker, with respect to the others, I assure the hon. Member that there are active considerations for a tramline that will touch his constituency.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mwila: Madam Speaker, let me also join my hon. Colleagues in expressing condolences to the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security on the loss of his son.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE KAMUCHANGA MODERN MARKET IN MUFULIRA

136. Mr Mwila asked the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development:

when the construction of the Kamuchanga Modern Market in Mufulira District will be completed;
what the progress, in percentage terms, on the construction of the market was, as of September, 2021; and
what the cause of the delay in completing the project is.

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development (Mr Nkombo): Madam Speaker, kindly allow me to join hon. Colleagues who have sent messages of condolences to our hon. Member of Parliament for Monze Central and Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Hon. Jack Mwiimbu, on the passing of his beloved son, Mpande.

Madam Speaker, allow me also to thank the people of Kabwata Constituency and in the same breath, congratulate my dear friend the new Member of Parliament for Kabwata, Mr Andrew Tayengwa, for a resounding victory in the ended by-election.

Madam Speaker, the construction of Kamuchanga Market will be completed at the end of December, 2022. The progress at the time the project stalled was at 85 per cent. Furthermore, the delay was occasioned by lack of funds.

I thank you, Madam

Mr Mwila: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the response. In fact, this question was posed some time last year. Between the time the question was posed and now, there has been some correspondence between the local authority and the ministry with a proposal which the local authority requested from the ministry that the facility needs to be partially handed over so that they can speed up the works. So, I note that the response has come to the local authority and I thank the ministry for responding quickly to that question. Indeed, although the hon. Minister has stated that it should be done by end of this year, with the approval that the ministry has given for the local authority to take over and find the tenants and complete the main structures, I hope we can beat the end of this year target so that the people of Kamuchanga and Mufulira can start utilising that facility. I am thankful and satisfied with the response that has come from the ministry.

Madam Speaker: In view of the response from the hon. Minister and the statement from the hon. Member of Parliament for Mufulira, we can make progress and go the next question.

Mr Mapani (Namwala): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for according me this opportunity to ask a question. However, before I do that, on behalf of the people of Namwala and on my own behalf, allow me to convey a message of condolences to the Mwiimbu family. Secondly, I congratulate the people of Kabwata for allowing the United Party for National Development (UPND) to continue leading in that Constituency.

CONSTRUCTION OF DIP TANKS IN NAMWALA CONSTITUENCY

137. Mr Mapani asked the Minister of Fisheries and Livestock:

whether the Government has any plans to construct dip tanks in Namwala Parliamentary Constituency;
if so, when the plans will be implemented;
how many dip tanks will be constructed; and
if there are no such plans, why.

The Minister of Fisheries and Livestock (Mr Chikote): Madam Speaker, first of all, may I join other hon. Colleagues in conveying heartfelt condolences to Hon. Jack Mwiimbu on the loss of his son. Let me also take this opportunity to congratulate the people of Kabwata Constituency for giving us a gallant man to represent them.

Madam Speaker, the Government is aware of the livelihood of the people of Namwala. The Government has an on-going programme for construction and rehabilitation of dip tanks country-wide and Namwala Parliamentary Constituency is one of the target areas for this programme.

Madam Speaker, currently, there are challenges with dip tank construction and rehabilitation country-wide. For that reason, the ministry is undertaking an assessment to determine the status of each dip tank country-wide. Once the assessment is completed, a comprehensive programme will be put in place to continue the works.

Madam Speaker, eleven dip tanks were under construction in Namwala. As already stated, the total number of dip tanks will be determined after the assessment and consultation with the stakeholders has been done. In view of what I have stated in (a), part (d) of the question falls off.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Mapani: Madam Speaker, I have got the hon. Minister’s answers. However, taking the prevailing situation in Namwala now, the situation of the floods and that we cannot sink any more dip tanks because of the rains, are there any immediate intentions by the ministry to help out with the vaccination of animals because of the prevailing situation? If we are not going to do that, we will lose many animals because of the wet lands that we are currently experiencing in Namwala.

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, though I did not hear exactly the kind of vaccination the hon. Member is asking for, I will try to give the hon. Member the information in terms of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) control which the ministry is trying to respond to country-wide. As I speak, we have distributed the vaccine to vaccinate animals against FMD across the country. Unless the hon. Member has a different situation in that constituency, we are there to respond positively.

I thank you, Madam.

Mr Simuzingili (Gwembe): Madam Speaker, considering the livelihood of the people of Namwala and the answer from the hon. Minister, in the absence of specific interventions, how does the ministry intend to eradicate the numerous diseases? From the answer, I did not get the specific interventions. The people of Namwala deserve specific interventions in as far as eradicating animal disease is concerned.

Mr Chikote: Madam Speaker, I looked at the question very well and noted that it was anchored on dip tanks. The hon. Member was asking about dip tanks, and I have responded according to the way the question was put to us. If we have other challenges in Namwala, in terms of diseases, we are here to assist the people there. As I speak, we do not have any report concerning other diseases affecting Namwala. Like I said, FMD was one of the challenging diseases across the country and as a ministry, we have tried to respond to the challenges that our farmers were facing with regards to FMD.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Malambo (Magoye): Madam Speaker, may I also join my hon. Colleagues on behalf of my family in passing my condolences on the demise of our young brother, the son to Hon. Jack Mwiimbu. May I also take this time to congratulate our brother Mr Tayengwa for scooping the Kabwata Constituency Parliamentary by-election.

ESTABLISHMENT OF FARMING BLOCKS

139. Mr Malambo asked the Minister of Agriculture:

whether the Government has any plans to establish new farming blocks, countrywide;
if so, when the plans will be implemented; and
what the progress on the issuance of title deeds to residents of Ngwezi Farming Block in Magoye Parliamentary Constituency is.

Mr Mtolo looked through the papers.

Interruptions

Hon. Member: Luapula is working on you.

Laughter

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, there are currently no plans to establish new farming blocks. The Government is currently implementing the Farm Block Development Programme (FBDP) that started in 2002. The FBDP identified one farming block in each province for development. Each farming block is expected to cover an area of about 100, 000 hectares of land.

Madam Speaker, the plan will be implemented once the farming blocks are fully developed.

Madam, the answer to part (c) of the question is as in (a) above. Part (d) of the question, on Ngwezi,…

Madam Speaker: Hon. Minister, it is supposed to be part (c) of the question.

Mr Mtolo: Ah, thank you.

Madam Speaker, Ngwezi Settlement Scheme is located in Mazabuka District of the Southern Province – Ah, this is not the right answer.

Laughter

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, Ngwezi Settlement Scheme is located in Mazabuka District of the Southern Province. It is an agriculture resettlement scheme where settlers are involved in the cultivation of crops such as maize and rearing of livestock. The scheme is not classified as a farming block per se. The process of issuance of title deeds is progressing slowly due to some consultations that needed to be carried out on the open grazing land.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Malambo: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for that answer. The people in Ngwezi Farming Block have been deprived of a huge incentive through the banks because they do not have certificates of title. They have also been deprived of an opportunity to be empowered in one way or the other with a document that can help them to access loans to help them develop their farms. As you may be aware, the affected farms are about 113. Out of this number, no farm has a title deed. These farmers are paying ground rates to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. This is the more reason I want to find out from the hon. Minister how soon the Government would be able to provide those certificates to ensure that our farmers access services related to title deeds.

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in providing an answer this afternoon. I have too many papers and I had them mixed them up.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member may wish to note that there was a problem between the traditional leadership and the conventional leadership. It is that which is being sorted out and so far, the problem was ratified, corrected and very soon all the affected members will receive the documents as the hon. Member is asking. The problem has been resolved and progress is at an advanced level.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mundubile: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the answers provided so far. Establishment of farming blocks countrywide is a very serious undertaking that can actually see this country develop in that particular sector. The citizens would like to know what basic infrastructure does the hon. Minister intend to put in each of these farming blocks?

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for his good question. May I take advantage of his question to indicate that he is aware that there are ten new farming blocks that have been earmarked in each province with a minimum 100,000 hectares. I am happy to let the hon. Member knowthat there is a group that has been constituted to take audit of this land. Once that is done, we are going to go step by step. We are looking at probably doing two or three farming blocks per year and in there, we are going to have roads. That is what we would like to do. We are going to have a complete plan for the whole area where we can group farmers accordingly so that we have an area for big commercial farmers, an area for medium scale farmers and then anchored around these, small scale farmers so that they can tap into the knowledge of the bigger farmers. Then, we want to do dams. So, it will be roads, dams and other amenities which are necessary like electricity. So, these are the types of infrastructure that we are looking at and we have got plans for some of the areas and we know the cost for some of the areas which will be required to cover the entire farming block.

Thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Menyani Zulu: Madam Speaker, I am confused now. When asked whether or not the Government has any plans to establish new farming blocks countrywide, the hon. Minister said that the Government has no such plans. Maybe, I was not listening properly, but if my memory serves me right, I recall that in the last Presidential Speech and the Budget presentation, the New Dawn Government came up with the idea of putting money into agriculture by coming up with farming blocks, which I considered brilliant. Unless I missed the hon. Minister’s point, he said that the Government does not have immediate plans to establish farming blocks countrywide. For me, this is the best thing it should do.

Madam Speaker, is the New Dawn Government going to move away from its initial plan of establishing farming blocks countrywide? Basically, I would prefer farming blocks in all the districts. Is the Government going to run away from this and just stick to the previous ten farming blocks until they are all developed? Are we going to see money going into the new farming blocks or not? Could the hon. Minister to clear this issue because maybe, I did not get him well.

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, that question will offer clarity. In this country, we have got small areas which are being developed as farming blocks which we normally refer to as settlement schemes. Over and above this, we have ten farming blocks, as I said, of a 100,000 hectares each.

District Name of Farming Block Province

Lunte Kalungushi Northern

Lufwanyama Lusuwishi Copperbelt

Kawambwa Luena LuapulaS

Shiwang’andu Manshya Muchinga

Lumezi Chikumbiro Eastern

Mushindamo Solwezi North-Western

Nkeyema Kalumwanwge Western

Serenje Nansanga Central

Kazungula Musokotwane Southern

Rufunsa Shikabeta Lusaka

Madam Speaker, now, the question was whether there were plans to develop new farming blocks and the answer was no. This is because we have these which are not yet developed. We would like to develop these and also develop the small farms before we go to another phase. Why would we create new farming blocks when in Lumezi for example, in Chikumbiro, we are yet to develop it. Luena is in the process of being developed. In Lufwanyama, we are still developing. So, the answer was very dynamic to what could happen. Do you have farming blocks? Yes. Are we going to develop them? Yes. Are they developed? Not all of them. Are we going to have new farming blocks? No, because we still have got a lot of work to do. That is the sequence.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mwanza: Madam Speaker, what criterion does the Ministry of Agriculture use to identify these farming blocks? Are our chiefdoms consulted or not? I ask this because we may have a situation where in my constituency for example, if my chief is not consulted and we probably have land that can be earmarked for a farming block, but when the criterion does not involve consulting –

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Kaumbwe, if you could kindly speak up so that we can get the question and the hon. Minister too.

Mr Mwanza: Madam Speaker, my question is: what criterion is used by the Ministry of Agriculture to identify these farming blocks countrywide? Are our chiefdoms or traditional leaders consulted? I ask this because we may have adequate land for allocation of a farming block, but if the criterion does not involve consulting the chiefdoms, then the chance to have the farming block is eluded. Furthermore, –

Madam Speaker: Order hon. Member!

You are allowed to ask only one question.

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, when a farming block is identified, the chiefs would have been consulted. In fact, they are very important in whole process. Right now, when carrying out the audit, one of the things we are going to do is that if we find dispute with the traditional leadership, we will move away from that particular area because it will just impede on development. So, yes, the traditional leadership is involved. The soils and water availability are also looked at. Generally, it is the availability of land.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mulebwa: Madam Speaker, thank you. Not to waste this House’s time, my question was asked by the hon. Member for Kaumbwe.

Mr Mtayachalo: Madam Speaker, allow me, on behalf of the people of Chama North and my own behalf, to convey my heartfelt condolences to Hon. Jack Mwiimbu following the passing on of his beloved son.

CONSTRUCTION OF COMMUNICATION TOWERS IN CHAMA NORTH CONSTITUENCY

140. Mr Mtayachalo asked the Minister of Technology and Science:

when construction of communication towers in the Chibale and Lundu Chiefdoms in Chama North Parliamentary Constituency will commence;
what the cost of the project is; and
what the timeframe for the completion of the project is.

The Minister of Agriculture (Mr Mtolo) (on behalf of the Minister of Technology and Science (Mr Mutati)): Madam Speaker, I inform this august House that the construction of communication towers in Chibale and Lundu Chiefdoms of Chama North Constituency will be undertaken in Phase III of the Universal Access Towers Project after an assessment has been undertaken in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Madam, the cost of the project will be known once an assessment has been undertaken at the point of project acquisition.

Madam Speaker, the timeframe for the project will be known at the pint of project acquisition.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mtayachalo: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the response. He has just informed the House that the construction of communication towers in Chibale and Lundu Chiefdoms of Chama North Constituency will be undertaken after an assessment has been undertaken. I thought that the assessment was already done because I have frequently visited the Ministry of Technology and Science and I was told that that had already been done. I think the people in Chief Lundu, Chief Chibale and Chief Chilubanama Chiefdoms are having serious challenges. These are the only chiefdoms which have no communication towers –

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member for Chama North, please ask a supplementary question.

Mr Mtayachalo: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister is saying the project will be done after an assessment in the fourth quarter of 2022. The only thing I can say is that the people of these two chiefdoms will be very grateful if the communication towers are constructed in these areas.

Mr Munir Zulu: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has indicated that the assessment will be done in the fourth quarter of 2022 when we know very well that we are now using the 2022 Budget which came into effect on 1^st January. So, is it a deliberate policy by the Government to procrastinate or is there any other reason for doing the assessment in the last quarter of 2022 and not the first quarter of 2022?

Mr Mtolo: Madam Speaker, may I request the hon. Member to recast his question so that I can give a positive answer. I take this as a lamentation because it is a delayed project. So, for a lamentation really, I can only sympathise with my brother, but I cannot give more comfort than that.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Madam Speaker: That is why I was even delaying to call upon the Acting Leader of Government Business in the House. Hon. Member for Lumezi, please ask a specific and clear question.

Mr Munir Zulu: Madam Speaker, what could be the reason for this assessment to take place in the last quarter and not in the first quarter of 2022?

Madam Speaker: Hon. Acting Leader of Government Business in the House, is the question clearer now?

Mr Mtolo: Yes, Madam Speaker. It is because of the technical issues that the ministry has to look at.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS RECORDED IN 2020

141. Mr Miyutu: to ask the Minister of Tourism:

what the total number of international flights recorded at the following airports in 2020 was:

Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA); and

Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport (HMNIA);

b. how many tourists visited the country during the same period; and

c.how the number of flights and tourists at (a) and (b) compare with the numbers in 2019.

The Minister of Tourism and Art (Mr Sikumba): Madam Speaker, I join the rest of my hon. Colleagues in passing heartfelt condolences to our hon. Colleague, Hon. Jack Mwiimbu, on the demise of his son.

Madam Speaker, in the same breath, I congratulate my fellow parliamentarian for a stellar performance in the just ended by-election in Kabwata Constituency.

Madam Speaker, to answer the question asked by Hon. Miyutu, the total number of international flights recorded in 2020 were as follows:

7,036 flight were recorded at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA); and
940 flights at Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport (HMNIA).

Madam Speaker, a total of 470,204 tourists visited the country during the year 2020.

Madam, the number of flights in 2020 in comparison to 2019 was as follows:

Airport Flights (2019) Flights (2020)

KKIA 15,174 7,036

HMNIA 4,600 940

Madam Speaker, the total number of tourists in 2019 and 2020 was 1,266,427 and 470,204 respectively.

Madam Speaker, the reduction in the total number of international flights recorded at KKIA and HMNIA were 54 per cent and 80 per cent respectively. The reduction in the total number of tourists into the country between 2020 and 2019 was 60.4 per cent.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mundubile: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for those comprehensive answers.

Madam Speaker, the modern infrastructure at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport (KKIA), Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport (HMNIA) and Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport (SMKIA) were deliberate under the Patriotic Front (PF) Government to try to create a regional hub by creating infrastructure in air transport that would contribute meaningfully to this economy. Is the Government engaging airlines out there with the aim of attracting them to create their regional hubs so as to improve tourist visitations and, indeed, other business flights into the country?

Mr Sikumba: Madam Speaker, at the risk of criss-crossing into my hon. Colleague’s ministry, which is the Ministry of Transport and Logistics, I will attempt to answer that question just to show the hon. Member how we create synergies within this New Dawn Government. We know exactly what is happening in other ministries. I must make mention that yes, we are in talks with other international airlines, to fly into the three international airports that we have; HMNIA in Livingstone, SMKIA in Ndola as well as our main airport, KKIA in Lusaka. The whole idea of attracting airlines into the country is to ensure that our international arrivals, especially for the year 2022, are increased. This is something you may have heard His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema speak highly about and that in 2022, we are going to increase the number of arrivals into the country owing to the favourable conditions that will be existing in the country.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Lubozha: Madam Speaker, considering the influx of tourists into the country and the earnings the country has been recording facilitated by the putting up of infrastructure such as SMKIA and the recently built airport here in Lusaka, my concern has been that most tourists particularly those who go to the Copperbelt seem to be inconvenienced. When does the Government intend to upgrade part of the stretch of the road that has not been tarred from Ndola Technical Secondary School leading to SMKIA airport so as not to inconvenience the tourists who are coming into the country?

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member for Chifubu, that question could be answered adequately by the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development. That is expanding the question too far. You can put in a specific question to the hon. Minister.

Hon. Member for Kalabo Central, do you have any supplementary question?

Mr Miyutu: I have no questions, Madam Speaker.

DEPLOYMENT OF DOCTORS TO HEALTH FACILITIES IN NALOLO DISTRICT

142. Mr Wamunyima: asked the Minister of Health:

(a) whether the Government has any plans to deploy doctors to health facilities in Nalolo District; and

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

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to deploy doctors to all the districts across the country, including health facilities in Nalolo District. The deployment of doctors to health facilities in Nalolo District will be implemented this year, 2022.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Wamunyima: Madam Speaker, Nalolo District or Constituency has over 63,000 people. The district does not have a single doctor. It takes 200 litres of fuel to transfer a patient from Nalolo West to Senanga or Mongu. What interim solutions can the hon. Minister give us as a population of over 63,000 that does not have a single qualified doctor?

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, I wish the hon. Member had been more specific when asking the question. He should have told us from the beginning that the constituency does not have a doctor. Perhaps by now, I would have had a better answer for him, but I am sorry to learn that. It is unfortunate.

Madam, we are employing doctors this year, but specifically, in the interim, we will work hard to ensure that we send a doctor within the next two weeks.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

TARRING OF THE CHISEKESI/GWEMBE/CHIPEPO ROAD

143. Mr Simuzingili: asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

(a) whether the Government has any plans to tar the Chisekesi/Gwembe/Chipepo Road in Southern Province;

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

(d) what the estimated timeframe for the completion of the project is.

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, the Government has not provided for the upgrading to bituminous standard of the Chisekesi/Gwembe/Chipepo Road in the Southern Province in the work plan due to funding challenges being faced by the road sector.

Madam, the works will be considered in future plans, subject to the availability of funds.

Madam Speaker, the cost of the project will be known once a contractor has been engaged. The timeframe for the completion of the project is estimated at twenty-four months.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Simuzingili: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the answer which is indefinite and not specific. Is it possible, since there are no funds at the moment, to consider the Chisekesi/Gwembe/Chipepo Road, which is a critical link into the economic Bottom Road, under the Private-Public Partnership (PPP)?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, the Government has already procured a contractor to construct the 30km road from Chipepo to Munyumbwe. Furthermore, the Government has also concluded the designs for the 50km road from Munyumbwe to Chisekesi. Works on the Chisekesi/Gwembe/Chipepo Road will commence, as we said, once funds are secured. The Chipepo/Munyumbwe Road is part of the upgrading to bituminous standard of the Bottom Road from Chaboboma to Sinazongwe via Sinazeze, which was awarded to Steffanuti Stocks at a contract price of K592,500,000, which includes Value Added Tax (VAT). The cost of construction of the Munyumbwe/Chisekesi Road will be known once a contractor is procured in subsequent road sector works.

Madam, to specifically answer the hon. Member’s supplementary question on whether or not we will consider a Private-Public Partnership (PPP) on the section of the road, let me use this question and opportunity to explain because there is some misunderstanding on which roads are commercially viable for PPP and which ones are not.

Madam Speaker, first of all, PPP has to be attractive enough for a potential investor to realise that they will make their money and make profit over a period called a concession period so that all their investment plus profit is returned. Even with the best intentions, this particular one, I think would have – because we are getting what we are calling unsolicited bids for PPP roads. This is not Zambian Government money but an investor putting that money in and being prepared now to put revenue collection mechanisms and over a period of time recoup his money and profit.

Madam, if roads are not specifically commercially viable for PPP that is not to say that they will not be upgraded or constructed. It is the responsibility of the Government to construct. When we say “when funds are available”, time and again, we have explained in this House what the Government is doing, that, in our view, will create fiscal space or headroom. In fact, our expectation is after discussions with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and our creditors, we think we will be in a position as Government for the Minister of Finance and National Planning to come back to this House, somewhere midyear, or maybe somewhere slightly after that, with a Supplementary Budget.

Madam Speaker, the road in question is an important road from Chisekesi all the way up to Chipepo on the lake. We have discussed this. These are the sort of roads that the Government will then be able to utilise its own funds to begin the process of upgrading to bituminous standard. The only other way, and I must make it very clear, is where you get a grant from some other entity like a foreign Government and so on, then you can be able to undertake. At the moment, we are pressing ahead with roads that qualify for PPP because of the volume of traffic and the ability of the investor to recoup his money.

Madam Speaker, the sorting out of the economy will enable us to undertake works on roads like the one we are talking about. When we say the PPP may not be viable, it does not mean that these roads will not be upgraded to bituminous standard. I have spoken to the hon. Member before and we have had discussions concerning this particular road. I believe that it should be upgraded to bituminous standard, but the Government has to lay out its plans as to where the money is going to come from.

Madam Speaker, we will release money for roads like this one. It is a priority for us, especially when one considers that the Bottom Road has been a subject of discussion. Those of us who were in this Parliament long time ago will recall that we have been discussing the Bottom Road and the roads linking it. This one is important and it will be done, but we require time to put funds together to be able to do it.

I thank you, Madam.

CONSTRUCTION OF THE KATETE/CHADIZA ROAD

144. Ms M Phiri (Milanzi) asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

why the construction of the Katete/Chadiza Road has stalled;
when the project will resume;
who the contractor is;
what the cost of the project is; and
what the estimated timeframe for the completion of the project is.

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, construction works on the Katete/Chadiza Road have stalled due to funding challenges.

Madam, the works on the projects will resume once funds for the projects have been secured.

Madam Speaker, the contractor awarded the works for the Katete/Chadiza Road is Messrs China State Engineering and Construction Corporation Limited.

Madam, the cost of the project is K856,110,429.14 and this includes Value Added Tax (VAT).

Madam, the contractual completion date for the project is 28^th February 2022. However, extension of time due to delays on the project is currently under adjudication and the new completion date will be known once the process has been exhausted.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Ms Phiri: Madam Speaker, you may wish to note that farmers are struggling to transport farming inputs and their produce due to the poor state of the road. The people of Milanzi would like to find out how soon the funds are going to be made available for the road works.

Eng Milupi: Madam Speaker, the works on this particular road stalled with physical progress at 30 per cent obviously due to lack of funding. 20km of clearing and grabbing and roadbed preparations have been completed so far. Works on the project commenced on 12^th March, 2013 and the current contractual end date is 28^th February, 2022, which will then be extended. I have said that the cost is K281,604,318.19.

Madam Speaker, the constraint of funding for this project is not something that we as the Government are happy to have. However, it is a question of doing what is necessary to ensure that in terms of the economics of the country, we put the country back on track. The easiest thing that this Government could have done as soon as it came into power is to go out and borrow expensive money as much as possible, provided the creditors would allow us to do this. That would be irresponsible. We have to manage the colossal debt that was left to us by the previous administration.

Madam Speaker, we are on top of this and that is why you see the President moving and so on and so forth. Those of us in Government are aware, but give us a bit of time. By mid-year, I think, the benefits of these travels will be seen, especially in terms of managing this debt. This will release funds and roads such as Katete to Chadiza will be done. This is not the only road in this area. There is Chipata to Vubwi to Chadiza. There is Chipata to Chadiza to Chanida. There is Katete to Chanida. All these require to be done, especially the Katete to Chanida which is a very critical road in that it moves a lot of the imports coming from Beira into this country, especially the tankers of fuel. So, we are fully aware on that particular one; the Katete/Chanida Road, I think the PPP will work. On the others, we have to create this fiscal space and create our own money as Government so that we can undertake these projects.

Madam Speaker, I keep referring back to what the Government is doing to manage this debt and we are absolutely positive having completed the staff level meeting with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which opens the door for discussions with the creditors. We are positive that by mid-year, we would have completed these discussions and that fiscal space, the restructuring of the debts will allow funds that will allow us to undertake these important road works like the Katete/Chadiza Road that require our own Government money to be undertaken.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Madam Speaker: I hope the hon. Member of Parliament for Milanzi did listen to the answer.

Mr J Daka (Chadiza): Madam Speaker, let me join my hon. Colleagues in conveying my sincere condolences to the Mwiimbu family.

Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development for coming all the way from Lusaka to my constituency to look into the issues that I raised from the first day I stepped into this House. I am glad that he is agreeable to the fact that the Katete to Chanida Border Road is highly economical and as such, it needs immediate interventions.

Madam Speaker, I will go specifically to the question from my sister constituency; Milanzi, over the Katete to Chadiza Road. Unfortunately, the hon. Minister did not visit the Katete/Chadiza Road. The site is a very sad one. Works were abandoned, the contractor left dumps of gravel and left culvert points open, making it very difficult for –

Madam Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, just ask a specific supplementary question.

Mr J. Daka: Madam Speaker, what short team interventions can the Government put in place to ensure that we alleviate the difficulties of accessibility on this particular road taking into account what I have just mentioned? The contractor left dumps like that all over and culverts points open and so, how do you access nearby communities? The hon. Minister might be aware that Chadiza residents access medical facilities only from Katete and Chipata. Now, with the condition of these two roads, that is, the Chipata/Chadiza Road and the Chipata/Katete Road, how does he expect members of my constituency to access medical facilities?

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member for Chadiza, Hon. Eng. Daka, is an engineer like myself. All these things that he has described are painful to all of us, including himself. When I look at what the party he belongs to left behind, at times, I wonder what he is still doing there.

Laughter

Eng. Milupi: What we are doing is recognising that many things have not been done quite right and we are trying to correct them This is not politics. As a fellow engineer, I am sure he knows that correcting some of these things require money and a bit of time. We cannot do it overnight. The damage was too great, so it requires the attention that His Excellency the President is giving to these matters. If you look at what is being done, I repeat, by mid-year, I think this country will see the tremendous benefits, such that by the time we make the next Budget for 2023, the situation will be much better. We have to correct that.

Madam Speaker, I understand the situation of the hon. Member who has asked this question. I was told about the situation of the Katete/Chadiza Road, including what he has talked about, which is the heaps of things and so on and so forth. It is the need that is very great. The Eastern Province was supposed to be someone’s stronghold. What we were told here was that there was a lot of infrastructure development in that province, but my visit to that province did not indicate that. This is not the only road that needs attention. The ones I have talked about, including main roads like the Chipata/Lundazi, the Chipata/Msoro, the Chadiza/Vubwi and the Lundazi/Chama are disasters. They all need to be rehabilitated. Other roads including the ones for rural connectivity and so on and so forth all need to be worked on.

Madam Speaker, we shall put things in place; we will begin to do the right things because that is how engineers like himself work. The first thing to sort out is the finances and the economy, and we can only do that when we have dealt with the crippling debt. The President and his economic team; the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, the Secretary to the Treasury, and the Governor of the Bank of Zambia are working. You cannot have a better team than those people. So, the country can have confidence that these things will be sorted out in spite of some of the challenges we are getting. I am sure the hon. Minister of Agriculture will tell you that the drought we had and the flooding that we are having will pose challenges, but as a Government of His Excellency, President Hakainde, I think we are up to these challenges. He is up to these challenges. We will fix the issues that we found, those that were left by our predecessors.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Mwanza: Madam Speaker, the Katete/Chadiza Road is like the Katete/Chanida Border Road and many other roads in the province. The hon. Minister has clearly stated that the Katete/Chadiza Road –

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, if you can, please speak up.

Mr Mwanza: Madam Speaker, the Katete/Chadiza Road construction has stalled at 30 per cent completion, and works will start once funds are available. We appreciate the efforts that the Government is making, but what is the contractual determination on the contract? What I mean is we are saying that when funds are available, we are going to continue with the road works. Is the Government going to maintain the same contractor? Or will it terminate the contract now because it is not sure when funds will be available? Meanwhile, the contractor is going to charge interest on delayed payments. Had it been the contractor who delayed to finish the project, he would have been charged liquidated damages. In short, there is that cost element of procrastinating the contract to an unknown time when funds will be available. I just want to know what the current determination of the contract is.

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, that was an excellent question from the hon. Member for Kaumbwe, the doctor. The Government is currently reviewing all stalled projects. We shall look at the ones that we can terminate without increasing the liability to the Governmen. I think the issue is that sometimes, when you go without proper consideration and you terminate contracts that were signed, you might end up increasing the liability to the Government, which already has no money. You will just increase the problems. What is causing these problems is that our predecessors, the previous Government, were giving out contracts without considering the availability of funds. Contracts were being given as confetti at a wedding without considering where the funds were. This is where the Government has found itself. The issue of perpetual succession means we cannot pack or cancel those contracts, we have to deal with them. That is what we are dealing with.

Madam Speaker, so, the answer to the question for the hon. Member for Kaumbwe is that we are considering all contracts. The ones that we can cancel, we shall cancel, and the ones which were overpriced, we are talking to contractors to review their prices even when the contract was signed, and some of them have reduced their prices. For the ones where people were paid, whether it is mobilisation money and they went away to buy other things or used the money for campaigns, the Government will come up with a mechanism to recover those monies. It is part of the process of reviewing the total local debt. Even though it is at about US$12 billion, we think that a total review will bring it to the right level.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr J. E. Banda (Petauke): Madam Speaker, on behalf of the good people of Petauke, I join my hon. Colleagues in passing my condolences to the hon. Member of Parliament for Monze Central, Hon. Jack Mwiimbu, the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security.

Madam Speaker, let me also welcome our kasuli, the hon. Member of Parliament for Kabwata. Congratulations to him.

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, what does kasuli mean?

Mr E. J Banda: Our last born, Madam.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: Hon. Member, you may proceed.

DISTRIBUTION OF TRICYCLE AMBULANCES IN PETAUKE DISTRICT

145. Mr E J Banda asked the Minister of Health:

when the distribution of tricycle ambulances in Petauke District will commence;
what the cause of the delay in commencing the exercise is; and
which health facilities in the district will benefit from the exercise.

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, the contract for the supply and delivery of 1,500 tricycle ambulances to support the response towards the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) was terminated on 8^th April, 2021. The supplier was informed and allowed to collect the tricycle ambulances from the Ministry of Health at the sites where these tricycle ambulances were delivered including Petauke. Therefore, the said tricycle ambulances cannot be distributed.

Madam Speaker, as stated earlier, the contract for the supply of tricycle ambulances was terminated. Therefore, parts (b) and (c) of the question fall off.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr E. J Banda: Madam Speaker, what was the reason for terminating the same contract?

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, I will just give some background information to answer that question. The background information on the termination of the contract to supply 1,500 tricycle ambulances to support the response towards COVID-19 is that the contract was terminated on 8^th April, 2021. As at 18^th January, 2021, the supplier; Barakatel Investment Limited, had directly delivered 1, 114 tricycle ambulances to Medical Stores Limited Mansa Hub and Medical Stores Limited Chipata Hub with a total value of K133,680,000. Demand for payment triggered serious review of documentation submitted for payment. A number of anomalies were identified, mostly pointing to a flawed procurement process. In this regard, the Ministry of Health resolved not to pay for the delivered tricycle ambulances but to terminate the contract.

Madam, the following are the delivery points of the tricycle ambulances:

Province No. of Tricycle Ambulances

Northern 254

Luapula 256

Eastern 604

Madam, that breakdown gives a total of total of 1,114 tricycle ambulances, all of which were distributed only in three provinces.

Madam Speaker, on 17^th March, 2021, the Ministry of Health requested for guidance from the Ministry of Justice on the termination of the contract for failure by the supplier to deliver the procured goods within the delivery period of two to eight weeks from the date of signing the contract, which date was 11^th December, 2020. On 18^th March, 2021, the Attorney-General allowed the Ministry of Health to proceed to terminate the contract as long as notice was given to the supplier in terms of Clause 23.1 A of the contract. On 8^th April, 2021, the supplier was issued with the notice of termination for the supply and delivery of 1,500 tricycle ambulances to support the response towards COVID-19 contract.

Madam Speaker, on 15^th April, 2021, the supplier acknowledged and accepted the notice of termination of the contract. Prior to the signing of the contract, twenty nine tricycle ambulances were donated to the Ministry of Health by the same supplier as a gift. Though it took long to collect the donated tricycle ambulances, the Ministry of Health received and distributed them. Delays in receiving these donated tricycle ambulances triggered an audit query by which the Ministry of Health appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Wamunyima: Madam Speaker, before I ask my question, I would like to commend the hon. Minister, clearly she is trying her best to restore sanity to the ministry, which, in my view, was disastrous.

Madam Speaker, the tricycle ambulances story is one of the worst scandals of the former Government. Considering that there was an audit query on this contract with so many horrific details and that these tricycles remain stored in Government infrastructure wasting space, is the hon. Minister considering charging this supplier for storage? In most of the contracts for the Government, suppliers are charging penalties and so on and so forth. They are charging so much.

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, to be honest, we are just trying to complete some of these challenges in a manner that lessens the challenges. We need to find a way of moving forward. What is good is that the Attorney-General’s office stopped us from proceeding. Furthermore, what is good from this statement is that the supplier got his goods.

Madam, as for the rest, I do not want to say much because I was not there. I am not even sure. Therefore, because we did not pay any money, as a ministry, we will not proceed with that unless someone else has information to prove that in fact, state money was paid and this is why these goods stayed for many months in the Government places. Mind you, they are just parked in the garden of the hospitals. So, there was nothing like they were in some special storage, no. The tricycle ambulances were just littered around various hospitals in the three provinces. So, as a ministry, we think that the end is good enough for now.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr E. Daka (Msanzala): Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has told us that these trico cycle ambulances were collected by the supplier but for Petauke in particular, those trico cycle ambulances are still there.

Hon. Members: Tricycle!

Mr E. Daka: Tricycles.

Interruptions

Hon. Member: Vina bwela mochedwa!

Mr E. Daka: What is the way forward on the same because …

Interruptions

Madam Speaker: Order!

Can we have some order please! Could the hon. Member proceed to ask his question.

Mr E. Daka: …the tricycle ambulances are still in the hospital premises and our people are eagerly waiting to receiving them but here, we are being told that the contract was terminated and the supplier collected them.

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, it is true to say these tricycle ambulances were at the district hospital in Petauke, I think, for over a year now. However, it is also true to say that the supplier was told that we were not purchasing them as Government. This New Dawn Government was not purchasing them. Therefore, the supplier was told to collect them. Maybe, he kept them that long because he was hoping that along the way, we would need them, but we did not.

Madam, the twenty-nine which I said were distributed, like I said, were apparently a gift that was given to the ministry before the deal. So, we had a gift of twenty-nine tricycle ambulances which we did not pay anything for and then the order for the 1,500 tricycle ambulances came, which we did not proceed with because of some situation or procedures that the Office of the Attorney-General felt were not okay. So, although the goods were delivered before the conclusion of the deal, what I can simply say is that it is just good that the contract was terminated in a manner it was. The termination was on some understanding or agreement that the contract was flawed in as far as the quantity and delivery time were concerned.

Madam Speaker, like I said, unless somebody has information to the contrary, what I am giving is the official position of the Ministry of Health. So, I am not sure why the tricycles ambulances are still at the hospital in Petauke. As of this morning, the information I had was that they had removed them and parked them somewhere, of course, within the district but not under our charge. Hon. Members who may be interested can talk to the supplier and buy some of the tricycle ambulances for their constituencies.

I thank you, Madam.

Laughter

Madam Speaker: That is if they are durable.

______

MOTION

ADJOURNMENT

The Minister of Agriculture and Acting Leader of Government Business in the House (Mr Mtolo): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

Question put and agreed to.

______

The House adjourned at 1844 hours until 1430 hours on Thursday, 17^th February, 2022.

__________

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