Thursday, 10^th March, 2022

 

[MADAM SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

The House met at 1430 hours

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

_______

 

MOTION

 

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS 26, 27, 51 AND 80

 

The Vice-President (Mrs Nalumango): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that Standing Orders 26, 27, 51 and 80 of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders 2021 be suspended to enable the House to sit from 0900 hours until business has been concluded on Friday, 11^th March, 2022, and also to omit The Vice-President’s Question Time from the Order Paper.

 

Madam Speaker, as the House is aware, Article 86(1) as read together with Article 9(2) of the Constitution of Zambia, as well as Standing Order No. 21 of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders 2021, requires the President of the Republic of Zambia to attend Parliament and report to the House on the progress made in the application of the national values and principles contained in the Constitution. In this regard, His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, will address the House and the nation at large tomorrow, Friday, 11^th March, 2022 starting at 0900 hours.

 

Madam Speaker, Standing Order No. 26 provides that a Presiding Officer shall suspend business for twenty minutes at 1040 hours on Fridays. In addition, Standing Order No. 27 provides for the procedure for automatic adjournment. Further, Standing Order No. 57 provides for the daily routine of the Business of the House, and Standing Order No. 80 provides for The Vice-President’s Question Time every Friday.

 

Madam Speaker, in order for the President to deliver his address uninterrupted, it is necessary for the above Standing Orders to be suspended. It is for this reason that I move this Motion to suspend the above Standing Orders in order to facilitate the address by His Excellency the President.

 

Madam Speaker, this is a procedural Motion and I, therefore, urge all hon. Members to support it.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mundubile (Mporokoso): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for this opportunity. As has been rightly pointed out by Her Honour the Vice-President, this is a non-controversial Motion. From the outset, I wish to state that I support the Motion. It is very important, as provided by the Constitution, for the Head of State to come and tell the nation the progress that has been made in the implementation of the national values and principles.

 

Madam Speaker, many things have happened in the past five or six months that require us as a nation to come together and listen to the President as to what is being done so that the anxieties and other concerns that the Zambian people or members of the public are raising can be settled.

 

Madam Speaker, I support the Motion.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

The Vice-President: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member, the Leader of the Opposition in the House, for supporting this Motion, I believe on behalf of everybody. It is procedural. It is a requirement. It is non-controversial. I thank all hon. Members for supporting this Motion.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

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MINISTERIAL STATEMENT

 

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INTEGRATED NATIONAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION SYSTEM

 

The Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security (Mr Mwiimbu): Madam Speaker, I thank you most sincerely for according me this opportunity to issue a ministerial statement on behalf of the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security.

 

Madam Speaker, thank you for affording me this opportunity to inform this august House and the nation at large, on the status of the implementation of the Integrated National Registration Information System (INRIS). The INRIS is a national and civil registration management system which is intended to provide biometric-enabled National Registration Cards (NRCs) and issuance of birth and death certificates by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, through the Department of National Registration, Passport and Citizenship. 

 

Madam Speaker, the ministry is charged with the responsibility of conducting national and civil registration. In addition, the ministry is authorised to issue travel documents and facilitate the acquisition of citizenship. The mandate is derived from the National Registration Act Cap 126, the Passport Act No. 28 of 2016, the Citizenship Act No. 33 of 2016, the Births and Deaths Registration Act No. 51, the Marriage Act Cap 50, and the Adoption Act Cap 54 of the Laws of Zambia. 

 

Madam Speaker, national registration covers registration of all eligible persons and issuing them with appropriate NRCs as legal identity in accordance with the National Registration Act Chapter 126 of the Laws of Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, the House may wish to note that in 1965, the country started issuing NRCs to citizens aged sixteen years and above using a manual and paper-based system. Since then, the manual and paper-based system has not changed despite it being susceptible to fraud and other abuses. The manual system has also failed to respond to demands arising from continued growth in population and rapid changes in technology, which has resulted in problems such as the duplication of NRC numbers, identity fraud, and challenges in records management.

 

Madam Speaker, the current manual-based system lacks mechanisms to prevent foreigners from registering as Zambians, especially during outreach programmes such as the mobile issuance of NRCs in border areas. Registration officers solely depend on the use of affidavits to register a person. The INRIS, however, will assign a national identity number at birth as opposed to when a citizen is sixteen years old. This will make it very difficult for any ineligible person to register as a Zambian citizen.

 

Madam Speaker, the INRIS will provide wider services beyond insurance of biometric-enabled digital NRCs and civil registration. The benefits of the INRIS will include:

 

1. enhanced security system through proper identification of citizens. Individuals will not easily change their identify as the case may be for some re-offenders;
2. the biometric identification system will contribute towards the promotion of good governance and reduce cost of voter registration. The system will enhance the electoral process by facilitating effective voter registration and identification;
3. the Government will minimise wasteful expenditure as ministries, provinces and other spending agencies will not need to invest in similar biometric identification infrastructure but ride on the INRIS platform;
4. optimisation of administration of various Public Service systems such as strengthened tax administration by broadening the tax base, strengthened social services administration by preventing double-dipping and ineligible beneficiaries, and promotion of health insurance administration by providing unique identity for beneficiaries; and
5. the biometric system will enable digital NRCs with financial wallets, which will contribute towards financial inclusion amongst the unbanked population.

 

Madam Speaker, the House may also wish to note that the national identity database for individuals is a primary platform for “Know Your Customer” or “Know Your Client” (KYC) guidelines in financial services, which require that institutions make an effort to verify their identity, suitability and risks involved with maintaining business relationships. In view of the aforementioned, the implementation of the INRIS will enable financial institutions to know their customers and manage their risks prudently.

 

Madam Speaker, the development of the INRIS has been completed and the hardware connectivity configuration has been set up. The INRIS has also been successfully deployed in eleven districts, namely Choma, Livingstone, Mongu, Solwezi, Ndola, Mansa, Kasama, Chinsali, Chipata, Lusaka and Kabwe. In addition, the House may wish to note that the enrolment of those obtaining NRCs has commenced in the above-mentioned districts, which includes capturing of biometrics and registration of births as well as the issuance of birth certificates using the system.  Further, to curb the problem of ghost workers on the payroll in the Public Service, the Government has prioritised enrolment of all Public Service workers.

 

Madam Speaker, finally, I assure the nation, through this august House, that the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security, through the Department of National Registration, Passport and Citizenship, will do its best in ensuring that all citizens and eligible residents are uniquely identified to promote internal security and also to enhance service delivery by both the Government and the private sector.

 

Madam Speaker, the ministry is collaborating with stakeholders to make sure that this exercise is successfully undertaken. I, therefore, implore the general public to appreciate the value of this migration and to co-operate during this very important national programme, as routine enrolment has commenced, while field mobile enrolments are planned to commence as soon as resources are made available. The exercise is estimated to cost K1,069,366,200. This includes deployment of the system to district offices, enrolment of citizens through routine and mobile registration, as well as issuance of cards.

 

Madam Speaker, with your permission, I thank you most sincerely for this privilege that I have been accorded.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: Hon. Members are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the ministerial statement issued by the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security.

 

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Madam Speaker, clearly, the system that the hon. Minister has just described was left by the previous Government and we thank the Patriotic Front (PF) Government for working so hard.

 

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

 

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

 

Mr Chilangwa: Madam Speaker, I rise on a very serious point of order citing Standing Order No. 131 (4).

 

Madam Speaker: Proceed, hon. Member for Kawambwa. 

 

Mr Chilangwa: Madam Speaker, I raise this very serious point of order on the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security. Yesterday, we heard how some officers are alleged to be involved in dubious activities. As I sat here listening to the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, I could not help but shudder or shiver because some things were protruding in his jacket, and I do not know whether they were weapons. Is the hon. Minister in order to come here with things showing in his jacket? We do not know whether they are weapons or the same guns that he is sharing with the police.

 

I need your serious ruling on this matter, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam Speaker: As the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security was delivering a ministerial statement, I observed that the hon. Member who has just risen on a point of order was whispering, though he was so loud that I could even hear him. I did not know that he was admiring what was bulging in the hon. Minister’s jacket. Maybe he is carrying money or a purse. So, he is in order.

 

We continue with supplementary questions or points of clarification on the ministerial statement.

 

The hon. Member for Chama South may proceed.

 

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, are you able to hear me?

 

Madam Speaker: Yes, we are able to hear you. Proceed, hon. Member. You are loud, although not very clear.

 

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, does it mean that all those who hold the current green National Registration Cards (NRCs) need to go and get new cards?

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Chama South.

 

Madam Speaker, the answer is yes. At an appropriate time when we roll out this programme, we will announce to the nation that everyone will be required to get a new identity card which has biometric features.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mwila (Mufulira): Madam Speaker, thank you very much for according the people of Mufulira this opportunity. How will this system cater for the Zambians living outside this country, especially that the hon. Minister talked about assigning identities at birth? What about the children born to Zambians, who obviously are Zambian, but do not live in Zambia because they were born somewhere else around the world?

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, as indicated in my statement, every Zambian will be required to be captured in the new INRIS. Those living in the diaspora will be accorded an opportunity to register their children through appropriate means that will be made available either through the embassies or the systems that will be made available locally.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Dr Kalila (Lukulu East): Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister able to indicate as to how this good programme, I must say, will be funded, which as he indicated will cost over K1 billion? Will this money come from the Treasury entirely or are there some co-operating partners or donors involved and so on and so forth?

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Lukulu East, Dr Kalila, for that good question.

 

Madam Speaker, I want to indicate that this programme is being supported by various multilateral partners and local financial partners in the country. Obviously, the Ministry of Finance and National Planning is also providing funding for this project because it is very important for the development of this country.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Rev. Katuta (Chienge): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the answers that he has given. However, I think I did not get the hon. Minister clearly. How is this programme going to be carried out in rural areas like Chienge and others?

 

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

 

Madam Speaker, we have acquired enough kits that will be distributed to all registration centres in the country. Further, we shall also ensure that there is mobile registration in areas that are not accessible by members of the public.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Michelo (Bweengwa): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the statement. In the previous regime, there was a shocking scenario during the issuance of National Registration Cards (NRCs) where in areas like Monze, Central Province, Bweengwa, Moomba, Dundumwezi and other places, it would take about thirty days for an NRC to be issued. In the meantime, in other places, an NRC would be issued in five minutes or a maximum of seven minutes. How will this system work? Is it also going to have some discrepancies whereby in other areas, NRCs will be issued in the quickest manner possible, but in other parts of the country, they will be issued in more than thirty days?

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I thank the Member for Bweengwa, Hon. Kasauta Michelo, for that very important question.

 

Madam Speaker, I assure the nation that in the process of issuing new identity cards to members of the public, my ministry shall not indulge in discrimination. We shall ensure that all members of the public and eligible Zambians access this very important document immediately they get to a national registration centre. The kits are electronic. There will be no need for anyone to queue up and wait for a long period.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Ms Sefulo (Mwandi): Madam Speaker, I reckon the comments made by the hon. Member who spoke earlier. In Mwandi, for example, a National Registration Card (NRC) was not a birth right. It was given depending on one’s political affiliation. As a result, youth empowerment in Mwandi is a challenge. So many youths were not issued with NRCs because of what Mwandi was perceived to be. What is the ministry going to do to make sure that those areas that were left behind like Mwandi are a priority to ensure that the youths get NRCs using the new system? As I speak, a twenty-one year old in Mwandi does not have an NRC because of what Mwandi was perceived to be. What advantages will be put in place to ensure that those people who were left behind in the previous Administration are considered first?

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Mwandi for that question she has asked pertaining to the discrimination that was practiced by the former regime to the people of the Western Province, the North-Western Province, the Southern Province and other parts of Zambia. I assure the hon. Member that appropriate measures are being put in place so those individuals and other Zambians who were left out deliberately by the last regime during the issuance of NRCs are provided the same.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Madam Speaker, I am aware that in certain regions of this country, immigration officers were never involved during the issuance of National Registration Cards (NRCs) and many foreigners were allowed to obtain this security document. What is the hon. Minister doing to ensure that immigration officers are on spot to curb this vice which happened in the previous regime?

 

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

 

Madam Speaker, I assure the hon. Member that the Government of the Republic of Zambia will put in place a collaborative effort and various security agencies will be involved to ensure that foreigners are not issued with this very important identity card.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Interruptions

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Mr Hamwaata (Pemba): Madam Speaker, what measures is the ministry putting in place to ensure that what we saw prior to the 2021 General Elections, where underage children were getting NRCs, does not happen? Is there any system in place to ensure that that does not repeat?

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I want to confirm that in the immediate past and in particular prior to the elections, non-eligible Zambians in certain areas of Zambia, in particular youngsters below the age of twelve, were given NRCs and were later on allowed to register as voters and they voted. We are going to give an amnesty to all those ineligible young Zambians to surrender those cards so that there is a fresh start. You may have noted that in certain areas, the number of registered voters rose dramatically as a result of the registration of youngsters. We will not allow anybody to encourage youngsters in this country to be involved in criminal activities.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Mr Menyani Zulu (Nyimba): Madam Speaker, up to date, the ministry has failed to do a good job in the rural areas of this country. I come from a rural constituency and I know that a good number of people do not have National Registration Cards (NRCs) up to date and that 90 or 80 per cent of children born in the last six months or since we got independence as a country do not have birth certificates. The ministry started the registration of passports with biometric features but we are still getting the old passports. What measures is the hon. Minister putting in place to see to it that people in rural areas of this country get NRCs and birth certificates with biometric features because at this hour, we have failed to do it manually? What measures will the ministry put in place to see to it that the people in remote places of this country also benefit like we, in urban areas, have benefited.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I mentioned that this programme is being rolled out in all national registration centres throughout the country. Currently, registration is being done in eleven centres in all the provinces. So far, the registration of birth certificates has been progressing very well. We have been advertising and publicising to ensure that members of the public access this very important document. So far, from the time we started, we have registered 15,254 registration of births. So, we are confident that in due course, all those who are born within Zambia and outside where the system is available will have the right to register their children. Once you register at birth, you will be given a number and that is the same number that will be used when you are being given an NRC. Thereafter, you will use that same number to get the passport. You may have noted that passport numbers keep on changing whenever your passport changes, but that will be a thing of the past. People will have only one identity number from birth up to the time when they get the identity document and passport. As I indicated, the kits are already available through the support of co-operating partners. We will receive the same from our partners and we will roll out the programme in all the districts. As I indicated, we shall embark on mobile registration so that the people in rural areas can also access the service.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Halwiindi (Kabwe Central): Madam Speaker, the question was asked by the hon. Member of Parliament for Dundumwezi.

 

Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa): Madam Speaker, I did not get the hon. Minister’s statement clearly. Maybe, when I read the statement, I will be able to get further clarifications. However, what I would like to find out very quickly is regarding the cost of acquiring the new document. I know that acquiring a birth certificate is free, because I recently processed birth certificates for my children, and that it costs K3 to obtain a National Registration Card (NRC). What is the cost of processing the new identity cards using the new system?

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, we have not increased any fee pertaining to the issuance of identity cards. The same prices will be applicable until when other measures are put in place and other costs are incurred. Otherwise, currently, there is no increase pertaining to the issuance of NRCs.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Twasa (Kasenengwa): Madam Speaker, my simple question is:  Is there a timeframe or deadline for which people who already have National Registration Cards (NRCs) need to change their documents to new ones?

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, we have not given any deadline. Members of the public will be allowed to access new identity cards as and when the services are available but there will definitely come closure when we are satisfied that all of them have access.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr J. E. Banda (Petauke Central): Madam Speaker, thank you for giving the good people of Petauke an opportunity to ask the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security a question.

 

Madam Speaker, many students are studying abroad but because of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), I am sure some of them will be abroad for not less than three years. So, how will they acquire the new documents?

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I indicated that our citizens in the diaspora will have access to this facility at various embassies and if they are able to come home, they will be able to access it.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mapani (Namwala): Madam Speaker, what measures have been put in place to ensure that during the issuance of the new cards, there will not be some elements of corruption like was witnessed before where when a member of the public went to get a National Registration Card (NRC), he/she was told to pay an amount of money which is contrary to the law?

 

Madam Speaker: Before the hon. Minister answers the question, there was an indication for a point of order. It has been withdrawn.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, as I indicated earlier, the Government of the Republic of Zambia will put in place a collaborative effort and we shall ensure that all the security agencies are involved. It, therefore, follows that those agencies that are responsible for preventing corruption will be involved at registration centres. We will not allow any corruption to creep in this process of acquiring national identity cards.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Chaatila (Moomba): Madam Speaker, arising from the question asked by the Member for Pemba, Hon. Hamwaata, regarding underage children who acquired National Registration Cards (NRCs), the hon. Minister indicated that he will give an amnesty to those children to surrender those cards so that they get new ones, which is a good move. Is he also extending this amnesty to the perpetrators of this bad act, those who were behind the issuance of those cards?

 

Mr Mwiimbu: No, Madam Speaker. The long arm of the law will follow all those who were involved in enticing our children to access NRCs when they are not eligible to get the same.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

______

 

QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

 

STALLED CONSTRUCTION OF NALOLO BOARDING SECONDARY SCHOOL

 

279. Mr Wamunyima (Nalolo) asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

 

1. why the construction of Nalolo Boarding Secondary School in Nalolo District has stalled; and
2. when the project will resume.

 

The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member who has been sent by the good people of Nalolo to ask me a question.

 

Madam Speaker, the construction of Nalolo Boarding Secondary School in Nalolo District stalled due to financial constraints.

 

Madam Speaker, the project will resume once funds are secured.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Kang’ombe (Kamfinsa): Madam Speaker, the people of Kamfinsa would like to ask a follow-up question on behalf of the people of Nalolo.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has indicated that this project will only resume once resources are made available and I agree that funds need to be mobilised for this well intended project. The people of Nalolo obviously would like to know when this activity of mobilising resources will reach a stage when the project will resume.

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, let me provide more information so that the people of Nalolo can be assured that something is being done. The project is being financed by the Government of the Republic of Zambia, through the Treasury. So far, as of October 2021, progress on this project was at 75 per cent. The major works done so far include blockwork, roofing, plastering and construction of …

 

Interruptions

 

Madam Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

 

 Learn to whisper softly.

 

Eng. Milupi: … oxidation points. Painting works and water reticulation works are among works yet to be undertaken.

 

Madam Speaker, the construction of Nalolo Boarding Secondary School in Nalolo District will be completed using a phased approach by targeting selected structures to facilitate the partial opening of the school. Priority will be given to complete the following:

 

1. two 1x3 classroom blocks;
2. five staff houses;
3. one ablution block; and
4. one sickbay.

 

Madam Speaker, the contractor was China Gansu Engineering. The original contract sum was K46,138,359.20, but this amount was revised to K59,419,005.05. The project commenced in July, 2013 and so far, works valued at K36,073,013.12 have been certified. The amount paid out of this is K28,998,311.53.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member for Kamfinsa, who wants to know when resources will be made available, may remember that the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, on the Floor of this House, indicated that concession funds would be sought specifically from the World Bank, to finance the completion of certain educational facilities, especially in areas that were left behind. As soon as that facility is obtained, I assure the hon. Member for Kamfinsa that this secondary boarding school will be one of those that will be attended to, so that we complete its construction.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Wamunyima: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the elaborate responses.

 

Madam Speaker, the people of Nalolo are currently really not enjoying the education standards. Education can be free, but you can pay through poor quality. Currently, there are forty-two primary schools that should feed into three secondary schools.

 

Madam Speaker, just as a follow-up on the hon. Minister’s response that this school will be completed with the concession funds that the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning mentioned, is it possible to prioritise it through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF)? I do not know what implications would be there with the contractor because as it stands, Nalolo Boarding School will be the first boarding school the district will ever have.

 

Madam Speaker, there are only seventeen applicants for bursaries of boarding schools in Nalolo Constituency because there is no boarding school in the constituency. The completion of this school will be an advent of the first boarding school in Nalolo, but we would want to complete it with the available resources as soon as possible. Can the hon. Minister kindly advise what implications would be there with the contractor?

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I sympathise with the hon. Member for Nalolo. I know the constituency very well. It is fairly remote especially west of the Zambezi River and there is a need to take educational facilities there. However, the gist of my answer is that there are two parallel paths that are being followed in this situation. The first one is using own resources to complete some structures to facilitate a partial opening of the school and the other one which will complete it 100 per cent is awaiting the acquisition of a concession loan from the World Bank, which was announced by the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning earlier on during the life of this Parliament.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member for Nalolo introduced a third aspect, and that is the application of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to complete these works. This Government has absolutely no objection on the utilisation of the CDF on important projects such as this one provided it is within the guidelines. If he is able to, I encourage him to do that, but if not, the path that I have indicated will certainly see the completion of this boarding secondary school within this financial year.

 

 I thank you, Madam Speaker. 

 

Mr Twasa: Madam Speaker, we are now getting used to the narrative that projects will only be completed whenever resources are made available. The people of Nalolo just like the people of Kasenengwa have seen many stalled projects. The hon. Minister has assured us that the project in Nalolo will resume once resources are made available. Is the hon. Minister able to give us an example of one or two projects that have resumed since they formed Government? We have been hearing this response of projects been completed when resources are made available since Parliament resumed last year. Has the Government mobilised resources for projects that resumed in some areas or is it still waiting for resources and none of the projects have started? Maybe, the people of Nalolo will have hope when the hon. Minister gives us examples of some projects that have started.

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, since the hon. Member is from Kasenengwa, I will give him an example fairly close to Kasenengwa even though it is well over 100 km, that being of the construction of the Musuzi and Lundazi bridges on the Chipata/Lundazi Road. The hon. Member is fully aware that we have mobilised resources for that project and others which I can mention. So, the answer that the Government gives that works for a number of projects have been suspended due to a lack of resources is not a routine answer. It is the truth and it speaks to the fact that things were mismanaged in the past and the extent of that is demonstrated by the fact that it is not the current Administration that suspended those works, but the previous Administration. However, because of the principle of perpetual succession, we have taken over the problems left by our brothers and sisters, who were on the right side of the House before that momentous day of 12^th August.

 

Madam Speaker, this Government is putting the economy right and that will result in resources being made available so that we can continue the stalled projects. No project is without purpose. Eventually, all the projects will be completed, but I must emphasise that that will be done when resources are made available because the New Dawn Government, firstly, has no resources in the Treasury for the many reasons I have explained, and, secondly, we are an over borrowed country. However, this country has no appetite to acquire more expensive loans except where we have very concession loans as the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning explained.  

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mumba (Kantanshi): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the adequate responses.

 

Madam Speaker, considering the number of stalled projects that the Government has, many a time when hon. Ministers are responding to various questions from hon. Members of Parliament, they have indicated that projects will resume when funds are made available.

  

Madam Speaker, is it possible for the ministry to come up with a list of projects that have stalled, which it is currently probably taking into consideration the incremental contractual costs, like the example the hon. Minister gave, where the cost of constructing Nalolo Boarding School was K46 million but is now K52 million, if I got him right. Obviously, at the time that that money will be available, the contract value would have gone up. So, on one hand, the Ministry of Finance and National Planning can find money, but on the other hand, the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development might not be able to carry out all the stalled projects in view of the incremental costs that will arise because of them having stalled.

 

Madam Speaker, is the ministry preparing itself by taking into consideration all these costs and by doing so, can we have a list so we can know which projects will be done first? I know there is a policy of first completing projects that are 80 per cent, but which projects will be considered once resources are made available going forward, considering the economic recovery plan that the hon. Minister referred to?

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Kantanshi.

 

Madam Speaker, first of all, let me make it very clear that a project that was started within the borders of this country, either using the Government’s resources or financed through a loan, may be paused, but not cancelled. The hon. Member is absolutely right. When projects are suspended on account of the inability to fund them, there are some associated costs for standing time, interest payments, and so on and so forth. This Government recognises that and my ministry is currently undertaking an exercise to review all the stalled projects, especially the ones that fall outside the criteria such as where the variation is in excess of 25 per cent by law. Those will be reviewed and the idea is that when we have done the review, for now, we will terminate those contracts without increasing the country’s liability so that our country can stop the bleeding in terms of what the hon. Member has talked about. When funds are made available, those contracts will be re-entered into by advertising them, and either the contractors who were there or other contractors may be able to complete those works.

 

Madam Speaker, another aspect that we will be looking at – some projects were overpriced, in some cases, there were grossly overpriced contracts, and we shall use that as an opportunity to revise those costs going forward. In other words, if a project was costing K100 million and 50 per cent of the works have been done but we cancel it, when we re-advertise it, the principles that we have adequately explained of correct price, correct quality and the time it is delivered, will be applied. In some cases, I know the prices will go down.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

PROCUREMENT OF FURNITURE AND MOTOR VEHICLES

 

280. Rev. Katuta asked the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security:

 

1. whether the Government has any plans to procure furniture and motor vehicles for the police and Immigration Department in the following wards in Chienge Parliamentary Constituency:

 

1. Mununga;

 

1. Puta;

 

1. Lambwe Chomba; and

 

1. Lupiya; and

 

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

 

The Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security (Mr Mwiimbu): Madam Speaker, the Government has plans to procure furniture and motor vehicles for police stations and police posts in Chienge District. As for the Immigration Department, the House may wish to note that Chienge District is serviced by Nchelenge and Chipungu Immigration Controls. Further, in 2020, Nchelenge and Chipungu Immigration Controls were supplied with new office furniture and a motor vehicle was allocated to each station.

 

Madam Speaker, the plans to procure furniture and motor vehicles will be implemented when resources are made available.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Rev. Katuta: Madam Speaker, before I ask my question, I thank the hon. Minister for sending police personnel to Chienge as he promised. We are grateful.

 

Madam Speaker, last time, the answer that the hon. Minister gave us on the Floor of the House was that Mununga Police patrols the waters of Lake Mweru. However, we do not have any form of transport to stop the people from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) who come in our country through Kafulwe. Our border in Chienge is so porous and the hon. Minister said we are being serviced by Nchelenge Immigration Control but we are in danger. Can the hon. Minister use some money from the Force Account to provide us with just one vehicle so that it can cover Mununga up to Lambwe Chomba because we are really in trouble and we do not have any form of transport?

                                                                                                 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I assure the hon. Member that my ministry and other security agencies in this country have a particular interest in the happenings in Chienge area of Zambia.

 

Madam Speaker, we are making arrangements, through the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, to ensure that we procure motor vehicles and boats for other areas that require boats in order for the police to continue policing. Currently, we have very serious challenges. Nearly all police stations in this country do not have motor transport to enable them to police the areas of jurisdiction. It has become an emergency for us to look for money and buy motor vehicles for the police. I have no doubt in my mind that all hon. Members of Parliament can attest that there are no motors vehicles for the police in their jurisdictions. However, we are treating this issue as an emergency.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Menyani Zulu (Nyimba) Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister may be surprised that the distance between Nyimba and Nchelenge is very far. However, with your indulgence, I want to inform him that the exit point for Zambians in that province is at Lupiya. Our passports are stamped at Lupiya. I do business there and the picture portrayed is as though as Zambians, we do not care for our people.

 

Madam Speaker, this country is looking for money. If the hon. Minister went there in his private capacity, not as a Minister, he will see how much money this country is losing. We are losing a lot of money. With the money we are losing there, we may not need a donor to give us money because it is a lot.

 

Madam Speaker, when will the ministry empower our colleagues at the borders? I have been to that border on several occasions and there is nothing worth to call a border on our side. The people who control us are the Congolese. When will the ministry send vehicles and speedboats to that area? We do not have speedboats while our friends have fifteen at Lake Mweru. When will the Government invest in that area and make more money? When will the hon. Minister come up with that idea and when can he go there and see what we are missing as a country?

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

You can only ask one question. The hon. Minister will only answer the first question.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, the question the hon. Member for Chienge asked was very specific. It was on the procurement of furniture and a motor vehicle for the Immigration Department in that area. I did allude that this area is being serviced by Nchelenge and Chipungu Immigration Controls and that vehicles and furniture were provided. The issues of empowerment that the hon. Member is raising now are periphery to the question that is being asked.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Shakafuswa (Mandevu): Madam Speaker, when will these funds be made available? Is it in this Budget cycle or in next year’s Budget?

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I alluded to the difficulties that the police, in particular, are facing in policing the country. I mentioned that we are in discussion with the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning to ensure that we provide motor vehicles, not just for Chienge, because we know that all police stations need vehicles. I state without fear of contradiction that no police station in this country has adequate transport and we are treating this issue as an emergency. We have to provide security to the people of Zambia, hence our discussions of finding money so that the police are provided with vehicles. This issue will affect Nchelenge and Chienge constituencies as earlier indicated.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Rev. Katuta: Madam Speaker, I really appreciate the answers the hon. Minister is giving. The hon. Minister stated that we will get new National Registration Cards (NRCs) and birth certificates, something that I advocated on the Floor of the House.

 

Madam Speaker, in South Africa, it is the co-operating partners and not the Government that buys vehicles for police officers. Seeing that the Government inherited empty coffers, can it not approach co-operating partners or companies like Ford, for example, to help us? I think the Government can go that route like it is done in South Africa because we really need to get these vehicles, seeing that it will not be easy for the money to come from our coffers?

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I appreciate the issue that is being raised by the hon. Member. I would like to inform the nation, through this House, that we are lobbying co-operating partners to assist us acquire motor vehicles. Without disclosing much, I am aware that there is already an offer for a certain number of motor vehicles that will be made available for the police in the course of next week. They are not enough and they are a drop in the ocean, but it is a start. We hope that as we progress, a number of co-operating partners will come on board to ensure that motor vehicles are provided. I hear the sentiments by the hon. Member for Chienge. She is serving a very delicate area.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mumba: Madam Speaker, my question is in relation to the importance of these vehicles which the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security is treating as a matter of urgency.

 

Madam Speaker, considering the competing needs that our Treasury will have going forward and apart from engaging co-operating partners, are there any other financial options that the ministry will consider in acquiring vehicles in the long term? The ministry usually makes a certain amount of revenue that can easily be used to finance the purchase of vehicles through financial leases. Are there any options the ministry is discussing with the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to assist it acquire motor vehicles that, as the hon. Minister rightly put it, we lack in our constituencies?

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I would not want to state other options which I can put on the table. All I can say is that the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning is the Chief Financial Advisor to the Government. Having made our position known, he is the most appropriate officer to advise us on the options that are available.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Ms Chisenga (Mambilima): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for the responses. However, mine is just a comment. I look forward to coming one day on the Floor of this House and listening to responses that will give the people of Zambia hope.

 

Laughter

 

Madam Speaker: Since it is just a comment, we will leave it as that.

 

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MOTION

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Vice-President (Mrs Nalumango): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

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The House adjourned at 1549 hours until 0900 hours on Friday 11^th March, 2022.

 

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