Tuesday, 30th November, 2021

Tuesday, 30^th November, 2021

The House met at 1430 hours

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

NATIONAL ANTHEM

PRAYER

_______

MATTER OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE

MANDATORY COVID-19 VACCINATION

Mr Chitotela (Pambashe): Madam Speaker, on a matter of urgent public importance.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: A matter of urgent public importance is raised.

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, I rise under Standing Order No. 134 and 135, which provides for the raising of matters of urgent public importance.

Madam Speaker, Zambia is a signatory to the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). Further, even before the Constitution confers them their rights, Zambians have the rights inherently; Zambians are born with their rights, one of which is the freedom of choice. They have a right to not be forced.

Madam Speaker, I must state that I am a proponent of vaccination, but the vaccination must be done based on an individual’s wish, not compulsion.

PF hon. Member: Hear, Hear!

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, in the past two days, Zambians have seen and heard the Government announce vaccination measures, and I know that the hon. Minister of Health is just the spokesperson for the Government on the resolution because she is in charge of that sector. I have been in the Government before. So, I know how the sector operates, as I sat on that cluster.

Madam Speaker, Zambians woke up to what I would call a surprise announcement to the effect that civil servants and Public Service workers who would not be vaccinated and present certificates would not be allowed to access public buildings and that Zambian citizens who would not show proof of vaccination would not be allowed to access public services. I appreciate the rationale and thinking of the Government, which is that we need to protect our citizens. However, we must not forget that I am a member of the Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church, where there are fundamentalists; people who do not even eat red meat or believe in vaccination. There are also the ‘Watchtower’, some of whom work in the Government and are Zambians. Those people did not choose to be Zambian., but God gave them this beautiful country in which they have rights, and those rights include having access to Government services.

Madam Speaker, bearing in mind that we are going towards the end of the year, some teachers, as I have said, who are ‘Watchtower’ and SDA members, are supervising tests for children. However, if they are not vaccinated, they will not be allowed to access schools. Is the Government, through Her Honour the Vice-President, who is the Leader of Government Business in the House and the cluster that looks at such matters, in order to come here and keep quiet over the abrogation of Part V of the Constitution; the Bill of Rights?

Madam Speaker, Article 33(4) and (5) states as follows:

“4. A person shall not be compelled to act or engage in an act that is contrary to that person’s conscience, belief or religion;

“5. A person shall not be deprived of access to an institution or a facility on the basis of that person’s belief or religion.”

Madam Speaker, the Government, through the hon. Minister of Health, has said that if one does not prove that one is vaccinated, one will not be able to access public services. I know there are semantics and claims that people are not being forced. However, if I want to go to the Passports Office –

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

I think you are now debating your matter of urgent public importance. We have all heard; you have debated. However, what we are interested in is just for you to raise this matter so that we can render a ruling.

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, is Her Honour the Vice-President, who is the Leader of Government Business superintending over that cluster, in order not to update the people of Zambia, through this august House, on whether the Constitution of Zambia and people’s rights have been suspended so that we are all compelled to be vaccinated?

Madam Speaker, I must put it on record that I am in support of vaccination and that I have been vaccinated.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you so much for this matter of urgent public importance. Indeed, we heard the preventive measures that were communicated by the hon. Minister of Health, it must have been on Friday. Therefore, I direct the hon. Minister of Health to issue a statement to this House so that hon. Members of Parliament understand the message and then go and disseminate it to their people in the respective constituencies.

Mr Fube: On a matter of urgent public importance, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, are you able to answer now or do we give you the chance tomorrow?

Mrs Masebo: Now, Madam Speaker. I am ready.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The hon. Minister of Health is ready to issue a statement over the matter.

You can go ahead, hon. Minister.

_______

MINISTERIAL STATEMENTS

GOVERNMENT’S POLICY POSITION ON COVID-19 VACCINATION

The Minister of Health (Mrs Masebo): Madam Speaker, thank you for granting me this rare opportunity to update this august House and the nation on the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) situation in the country, and the measures put in place to prevent and control the fourth wave, which is characterised by the newly discovered Omicron COVID-19 variant.

Madam Speaker, while Zambia is currently experiencing a low transmission rate of COVID-19, with a consistent test positivity of less than 1 per cent for the past three months, we are recently threatened by the Omicron COVID-19 variant.

Madam Speaker, the New Dawn Government, under the leadership of His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, attaches great importance to matters of health, particularly the delivery of primary healthcare with the aim of achieving universal health coverage and assuring public health security. It is for this reason that it continues to advocate for the prevention and control of COVID-19, including through continuous adherence to the prescribed public health measures and vaccination against COVID-19, while providing quality healthcare services. Additionally, it is mobilising resources to support the health agenda and build up the economy.

Madam Speaker, on the global front, in the last twenty-four hours, 391,405 new cases, including 4,511 deaths were reported, taking the cumulative number of cases to almost 262 million, including more than 5.2 million deaths and approximately 237 million recoveries, as of 29^th November, 2021. The highest burden of new cases was in Europe, at 68 per cent, followed by Asia, at 20 per cent, North America, at 7 per cent, South America, at 3 per cent, and Africa, at 1.4 per cent. Africa reported 5,400 new cases, including seventy-one deaths, in the last twenty-four hours. Cumulatively, Africa has, so far, recorded 8,718,839 cases, of which 223,365 resulted in deaths while 8,117,509 were recoveries. In the case of Zambia, since 18^th March, 2020, when the first two cases were reported, the country has recorded three distinct waves of the pandemic, with a cumulative number of 210,150 confirmed cases, including 3,667 deaths and 206,391 recoveries, as at 29^th November, 2021. In the last twenty-four hours, Zambia reported seven confirmed COVID-19 cases out of 2,301 tests conducted, translating into a positivity rate of 0.3 per cent. All the districts in the country have been affected at one point or another.

Madam Speaker, although new COVID-19 cases have subsided, a fourth wave is anticipated towards the end of the year due to various reasons, such as similar trends observed previously in our country and elsewhere, the current high burden of COVID-19 globally, festive season events that are around the corner; increased travel globally, low vaccination coverage in our country and circulation of new variants of the virus. Low temperatures may also be favourable for the virus to be transmitted more readily during this period.

Madam Speaker, recently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant of concern (VOC), now being called Omicron, which is circulating on the African continent, in particular, the southern region, and in Europe, North America and Asia. Zambia has not yet isolated the variant, but continues to perform genomic sequencing for timely detection and management of this and any other variant. It is imperative that public health and social measures, including vaccination, are intensified to avert the risk of Zambia experiencing another wave of COVID-19.

Madam Speaker, the announcement of the Omicron variant has caused concern globally, leading to some countries putting in place travel restrictions. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic remains multi-sectoral and aligned to the COVID-19 National Multi-sectoral Contingency Preparedness and Response Plan, which provides for a well-co-ordinated preparedness and timely mechanism for mitigating the effects of the pandemic. The technical response is co-ordinated by the Ministry of Health, through the Zambia National Public Health Institute (ZNPHI). With an imminent fourth wave, a resurgence plan aligned to the multi-sectoral contingency plan is being developed with support from the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), which falls under the Office of the Vice-President.

Madam Speaker, various interventions based on experiences and best practices from other countries have been put in place to prevent the importation and spread of the Omicron variant. The following measures are being implemented in Zambia:

enhanced co-ordination mechanism through supporting epidemic preparedness, prevention, control and management committees;
surveillance at all points of entry has been heightened;
vaccination and testing for COVID-19 is being conducted at points of entry, such as airports, road border points, water entry ports and illegal entry points;
all travellers from high-risk countries will be quarantined for ten days in designated places at their own cost;
strengthening laboratory capacity, including in genomic sequencing, to track emergence and spread of new variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus;
increasing risk communication and community engagement through continued sensitisation on the preventive and control measures, including the COVID-19 vaccination programme;
public transport operators must ensure masking up, hand sanitising and physical distancing by restricting the number of passengers in respect of the bus size. Operators are also to regularly disinfect their vehicles;
markets and bus stations not to allow anyone in the premises without wearing a mask. All marketeers and shop owners are expected to wear masks and provide sanitisation facilities at all times;
members of the public will not be allowed into public places without masks;
it will be a requirement for all persons to provide some evidence of vaccination before entry into Government buildings to protect those working in those buildings;
it will be a requirement for civil and public servants to be vaccinated for them to be admitted at work. This shall be done in consultation with unions;
churches to meet three times a week, but for only one hour each time they meet;
funerals and weddings should accommodate less than fifty people, subject to approval by the health and local authorities;
all bars, taverns, restaurants, night clubs, cinemas, casinos and stadia to ensure adherence to public health measures, such as wearing masks at all times, regular hand washing or sanitising, and physical distancing. However, all bars, night clubs and discos shall operate only from 1800 hours to 2000 hours and for four times a week. This is to enable the premise owners to clean and disinfect the facilities;
colleges and universities to increasingly conduct lessons online as may be required, case by case; and
the Government will roll out and upscale nationwide vaccination to 2 million people by Christmas in 2021 using areas of mass gatherings, such as markets, shopping malls and sports stadia.

Madam Speaker, the national COVID-19 response continues to face a number of challenges that remain areas of concern, including the following:

general laxity among members of the public in complying with the prescribed COVID-19 prevention and public health measures;
low uptake of COVID-19 vaccines driven by myths and misconceptions; and
importation and emergence of new variants of the virus.

Madam Speaker, the successful prevention and control of COVID-19 relies on all stakeholders at the individual, sector and community levels. It is for this reason that the Government continues to call on all sectors and disciplines to remain a part of the response. It is in this regard that I call upon my fellow hon. Members of Parliament to be ambassadors of change, starting with their personal observation of prescribed COVID-19 prevention public health measures. I call upon all hon. Members to use their comparative advantage to help in the strengthening of public health security in the country. It is important that they continue to sensitise the general public through their respective constituencies and portfolios. I also encourage all of them to engage their communities and insist on adherence to the stipulated public health measures, which include wearing masks in public places; observing regular hand hygiene; physical distancing of not less than one metre; avoiding crowded places; reporting to health authorities upon displaying COVID-19 symptoms, including fever, coughs and difficulty in breathing; and, above all, vaccination. I also call upon those not vaccinated against COVID-19 to do so and encourage all the eligible members of their constituencies to do so.

Madam Speaker, let me bring to the attention of the hon. Members of Parliament the fact that upon announcing the measures, which are aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19, we received a number of concerns from the public. In this regard, I must say that we do not just wake up and announce measures; we try to consult. However, depending on the level of the alert, the Government, through the Ministry of Health, takes certain measures that are purely aimed at alerting and protecting the public so that we do not regret. As we normally say, prevention is better than cure.

Madam, the New Dawn Government is a listening Government, and we have been listening to the comments that have been coming through. The comments are necessary, and we appreciate them. I slept around 0200 hours this morning, as I was listening, reading and going through all sorts of information received either directly, through third parties or social media. The debate is healthy, and it should be encouraged because through it, there have been positive numbers in terms of vaccination. For the first time, over 12,000 people were able to be vaccinated in one day yesterday. Today, we have lines of people throughout the country opting for vaccination, and that is how it should be.

Madam Speaker, the reason for my wanting so much to bring this issue before hon. Members is to update the hon. Members, and let them debate the matter so that we can hear their views and, together, make Zambia safe for our people.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Government hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, you are now free to ask questions on points of clarification on the ministerial statement issued by the hon. Minister of Health.

Mr Chitotela (Pambashe): Madam Speaker, I understand that the hon. Minister is one of the few sober and level-headed hon. Ministers.

PF hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kang’ombe: PF quality!

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, I understand the desire of the Government to protect its citizens, but the concern of the public are the implementers and the implementation.

Madam Speaker, I am in receipt of a circular in which one senior officer in the Government has issued directives to officers. The first part is with regard to the laying of buckets at entrances and other things. However, what is of concern is that he states that all officers should have the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination certificates and that those who did not have should get vaccinated in three days, failure to which they would be sent back home for vaccination. If the same officer did not report back in ten days, they would be considered absent without leave, and the Civil Service conditions of service would apply.

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has the right to protect all of us, the citizens, and provide good health services. However, she also has the right to protect those who do not believe in what she believes in. Now, the Government has officers implementing the measures put in place and wanting to punish people against their inherent human rights, the Constitution of Zambia and the Bill of Rights. How are we going to protect the weak, who may not have access to her office, as we, hon. Members of Parliament, help her to sensitise our people in our various constituencies on the importance of being vaccinated?

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, when you are in Government, especially as Minister of Health, you deal with issues that affect the lives of people. In that office, which is the people’s office, one hears, sees and gets to know many things and, as a mother or parent, one has to act. One does not keep quiet because if one wastes time, people die.

Madam Speaker, I am happy that we are discussing here, nobody has died and the situation is under control. I am also very happy because we will be ready if anything happens. I had to quickly present this matter here to my colleagues, the people’s representatives, so that we can discuss it on the Floor of the House because it is important. This is an issue we should not debate as United Party for National Development (UPND) versus the Patriotic Front (PF), and I look forward to a time when my hon. Colleagues here, where I am seated, will stand up and praise me on some points and, more importantly, express their concerns on some of my decisions. That is the purpose of the debate on the Floor of this House. After discussing here, we should be able to go out and speak with one voice.

Madam Speaker, this issue is about the health of our people. You and I know how many people we have lost to COVID-19, especially in the last wave. As much as there were efforts made, many people died who should not have. I also know now, by privilege of my office, that Zambia does not have that capacity to deal with an outbreak of the new variant, whose symptoms have changed; they are not like those of the delta variant. We are told that the new variant has thirty-two mutations, meaning that any one of us can have it here without knowing, and by the time we knew, we would already be dead, as the disease progression is faster. If your child, brother or sister caught the disease died, would you be happy? I do not think so. Equally, no Government would be happy.

Madam Speaker, out of love for our people, and as a concerned mother, I cannot sit on this information; I have to find means – All we have done, collectively with some of my colleagues, especially those in the fourteen-member inter-ministerial team, is sit down with our experts, who gave us the full details, and we saw that the situation was going to be worse than it was during the last wave. I shudder to imagine what would happen to us if the new variant broke out.

Madam Speaker, I would like us to debate this matter as a country because this is a Zambian issue, not a game or a political issue. So, it is not time for dead politicians to rise and start making names out of it, or for anybody on the left or right to think this is the time to show that they know how to talk; this is a time for us to be united, just on this issue. I beg the House to unite and help our people.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Government hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lusambo (Kabushi): Madam Speaker, I want the hon. Minister of Health to confess and inform the people of Zambia that whilst in the Opposition, the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, called the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) a hoax and a fundraising venture for the Patriotic Front (PF).

PF hon. Members: Hear, hear!

UPND hon. Members: Question!

Mr Lusambo: Madam Speaker, I want to put that on record because COVID-19 is a very deadly disease, and it does not choose whether you are in the Opposition or the Ruling Party.

Madam Speaker, now that –

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

Madam First Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Nkombo: Madam Speaker, I am very grateful for the opportunity to raise this very serious point of order, which is a convention in this House and a practice in all Commonwealth parliamentary systems.

Madam Speaker, is the Member of Parliament for Kabushi, Hon. Bowman Lusambo, in order, in his question, to bring in individual, in the name of Mr Hakainde Hichilema, who is not in this House at this point in time?

Interruptions

Mr Nkombo: Greenhorns, please, keep quiet.

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Can we have order!

Mr Nkombo: Madam Speaker, is the hon. Member of Parliament for Kabushi in order to bring in the name of an individual, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, who is clearly not in this House and cannot defend himself against the allegation the hon. Member is making despite knowing very well, as it is in the public domain, that at the height of the first and second waves, the said individual donated detergents, meat and disinfectants? This is contrary to Standing Order No. 65.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Nkombo: Madam Speaker, on a serious note, is he in order to debate someone who is not here to defend himself?

Madam Speaker, I seek your ruling.

PF hon. Members: Which Standing Order?

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, are you able to state the Standing Order that has been breached?

PF hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: Madam Speaker, I have been here long enough and, because I use this (showing copy of the Standing Orders) as my modus operandi document or book, it is here all the time. It is Standing Order No. 65.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Standing Order 65. I think that is what he said.

Hon. Member of Parliament for Kabushi, I think we all know the Standing Orders. In this case, it is Standing Order 65, on “Content of Speech, Part 2”, which talks about the involvement of the President in your debate. Can you, please, refrain from involving the President when asking your question.

Mr Lusambo: Madam Speaker, I withdraw my mention of “Mr Hakainde Hichilema” from my debate and replace it with ‘the United Party for National Development (UPND)’.

Madam Speaker, before the elections, the UPND leader called COVID-19, a very serious disease, a hoax and fundraising venture for the PF. I remember that we were together in this gallery. Now, –

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

Laughter

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

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member of Parliament for Kabushi, can you summarise your question. Maybe, just to guide you, there is a ministerial statement that has been issued, and we are seeking clarifications on it. So, can we stick to the ministerial statement. Further, can the hon. Member, please, summarise his question.

Mr Lusambo: Madam Speaker, I thank you for your guidance.

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

Madam First Deputy Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Chitotela: Madam Speaker, I apologise to the hon. Member of Parliament for Kabushi for disturbing the flow of his thoughts.

Madam Speaker, it an established practise that after the Speaker has rendered a ruling a point of order, the one who raised the point of order does not walk out on the Chair. Is the hon. Member of Parliament for Mazabuka Central, who is also the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, in order to storm out of the House in protest of the ruling you have just delivered?

Madam Speaker, I seek your serious ruling.

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, please!

I think, that was on a light moment.

PF hon. Members: No!

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, let me just guide.

When you ask a question or debate, you are not supposed to walk out of the House.

Hon. Member of Parliament for Kabushi, can you, please, summarise your question. We want to move forward.

Mr Lusambo: Madam Speaker, this issue –

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

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I rise on a point of order pursuant to Standing Order No. 65(1)(a) and (b).

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Member of Parliament for Kabushi in order to make imputations and inferences on issues that he cannot verify and lay proof on the Table of the House? Is he in order to make those allegations without laying any documentation on the Table of the House as demanded by Standing Order No. 65(1)(b)?

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member of Parliament for Kabushi, I think, my guidance was very useful, and you should have taken it. Now, because you went off the question, you are provoking many unnecessary points of order. Do you have the necessary documents to support your assertion?

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Member, can you stick to the question, and this is the last time I am giving you the opportunity. Can you summarise your question so that we can move on.

Mr Lusambo: Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has now come to terms with the fact that COVID-19 is a real and deadly virus. Further, if we, as hon. Members of Parliament, do not put our hands together, and if we do not have the correct information to take to our constituencies, many people will die, and the blame will be on her and on President Hakainde Hichilema. Now that we are in the fourth wave, does the ministry have any plans to invest in other information strategies, from constituencies up to the provincial level, so that our people can have this information and protect themselves from the fourth wave of COVID-19?

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, the reason this matter is on the Floor is for my hon. Colleagues to be able to ask the necessary questions on points of clarifications and get more information about the new variant and what we are we doing about it, including the question the hon. Member has asked. Once there is a deeper understanding of this matter, it will be easy for the hon. Members here to go back to their constituencies and share this information.

Madam Speaker, regarding the measures that we have imposed, I expect the hon. Members, as the people’s representatives, to say which measure is okay and which one is a bit severe, or propose that we loosen or tighten some measure. For example, in light of the information I have given my colleagues, one of them could propose that instead of giving the people four hours, we should give them two hours. That is the kind of response I hope to get from here because through this consultation, my team of hon. Ministers, as policy makers, can get information on the views of the people on the ground and take it to our scientists.

Madam Speaker, we are caught between two rocks; we are faced with either dying because of the virus or dying because of hunger. As you know, due to the effects of the last wave, this economy had continued to go down. We were just beginning to pick up when, suddenly, the virus came again.

Interruptions

Mrs Masebo: In terms of the incomes of business people, especially those at the small scale level, the impact of the virus is bad. However, we have to reach a point where we do what we have to do.

Madam Speaker, this House represents the people. So, I can go back to my first-level boss, the Chairperson of the Multi-Sectoral Committee of Ministers on this issue, and report the feedback from, for example, the Church, the people on the street, the bloggers and the hon. Members. Then we can decide how to proceed. So, we are trying to share information and consult so that we understand one another. From here, the people’s representatives can go and inform the public on our behalf because I cannot manage, in the short period of time I have, to go to all the 156 constituencies and explain this matter. Even using television is not sufficient. What is effective is the local leadership going on the ground to address the councillors and going with the councillors to the wards, and that is what is needed. We do not have time. We have an opportunity now to make decisions meant to save our people and implement them.

Madam Speaker, if I am to be specific on the question, what we are doing here is part of that exercise. If you recall, last time, I asked hon. Members to go and re-launch the vaccination programme. I do not know what is wrong with our country because people want to compete over things that should not be competed for. These are not issues to compete over.

Interruptions

Mrs Masebo: There are things on which we are going to compete, but not matters of health. If you have noticed, I have been very mature about this ministry. Were I politicking, people would not like me. It is not as though there is the lack of –

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mrs Masebo: It is not as though I do not have what to say or what to accuse somebody of; I just do not want to do that because I know I am dealing with the health of the public.

Madam Speaker, when I talked about re-launching, I did not mean there was no launch; we called it a re-launch because there was a launch. The impact might not have been much the first time. For example, when I came into the ministry two months ago, the vaccination rate was very low, at 3 per cent. However, two months down the line, we are at over 10 per cent, if you add count those who have not got the second jab, too. That notwithstanding, the vaccination rate is still too low. The good news is that just yesterday, there was a large number of people getting vaccinated. Even today, I went round some clinics and found that the queues are long. Livingstone phoned to inform us that it has run out of the Jonson & Johnson vaccine, and I have just asked officers to send more vaccines there and around the country because, unfortunately, now, people are beginning to panic and want only the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. So, I want to use this opportunity to say that all the other vaccines are as good as the Johnson & Johnson. So, people should quickly get any vaccine that is available. I do not want the panic that I see coming to materialise.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Twasa (Kasenengwa): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister of Health for this elaborate statement. I am seeing the benefit of having a mother in such a ministry, and I can confirm that there is nothing political about the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). It is not a fundraising matter like some grouping of people put it at one time.

PF hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Twasa: I truly appreciate the hon. Minister.

Madam Speaker, we got a very elaborate report on COVID-19 cases in Zambia. If I got the hon. Minister correctly, the country recorded seven cases in the last twenty-four hours. Are the seven cases those of Omicron or are we still talking about the Delta variant?

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, the seven cases were reported in the last twenty-four hours, meaning yesterday, 29^th November, 2021. The report I have is that they were treated as being the normal variant that we have been treating. However, this morning, we received one report of three Zambians who were admitted at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) with high temperature and body weakness. So, the doctors suspected those could be Omicron cases and did the test. What was confirmed is that they were COVID-19 cases, but the patients had travelled from South Africa in recently. So, they were put aside so that doctors could investigate whether they had the Omicron variant, the Delta one or any other. That exercise is on-going. I was told that I would be informed after lunch today. So, I hope to know which variant it is by then.

Madam Speaker, the good news is that we have received laboratory equipment that will help us in determining the types of COVID-19 that will be breaking out in various patients, and the people will be able to know about the variants. However, as far as we know, at this moment, the prevailing variant in this country is the same one we have had all along.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

Mr Lubozha (Chifubu): Madam Speaker, the people of Chifubu thank the hon. Minister of Health for the steps she has taken at this stage, which have enhanced the process of vaccination across the country. However, they are concerned that the hon. Minister’s team of experts that has been looking at bars, particularly, are only looking at the man drinking beer in a bar, not the essence of the industry, which has a large workforce. I can estimate that after the Civil Service, bars are the biggest employer, as many people, including taxi drivers, depend on that industry. However, today, the hon. Minister has declared in her statement that she has given bars only two hours to operate. Honestly, how many bottles of beer can one sell in two hours? Alternatively, what business can people do in two hours and be able to pay their rentals?

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

Can you summarise your question. You are not debating.

Mr Lubozha: Madam Speaker much obliged.

Madam Speaker, can the people pay their rentals or support their workers? Their humble appeal is that two hours is not enough. As a caring mother in a caring Government, is she considering increasing the number of operating hours for our colleagues in the bar sector so that they can also earn a living? They risk dying of hunger as a result of the limited number of operating hours just as much as they risk dying of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Alternatively, does the hon. Minister have any stimulus package to give them to supplement the loss of income they are going to suffer as a result of the limitation of the number of hours they have been accorded?

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister of Health, you can pick one question and respond to it.

Interruptions

Ms Masebo: Madam Speaker, there is too much noise here.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Members, can we have order so that the hon. Minister can respond.

Interruptions

The First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Ms Masebo: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for that very important question.

Madam, I must tell the hon. Member that His Excellency the President sent me massages that he received this morning on these measures. In fact, there were two important messages; one relating to the Church and the other relating bars, tavern and restaurants. The question was on why, in a Christian nation, we had given churches only one hour by three days in a week, giving a total of three hours, when we had, at the same time, given bars and taverns two hours by four days a week, giving a total of eight hours. That is why we are debating this matter.

Madam Speaker, the issue is not so much about the Church and the bar owners. From where I am standing, the Church in Zambia is so important that it cannot even be compared to a bar or people drinking. The Church is an icon of our standing as a Christian nation. We bring in the Church because we take the church there. When we say the Church will do something, it is because we are looking at the churches as our parents, and we know that they are the ones that set the mood in the country. So, we want those who drink and are talking about two hours not being enough for getting drunk to see what the Church is doing, which is helping us to achieve that which is important. That said, the idea is not to block people from praying. Rather, it is to just try to limit the hours of being together, in case somebody has the disease. So, as I said, we are still listening and, since we are still listening, we will be getting feedback from the Church and the bar owners. We are now getting feedback from their representatives, who are saying two hours is not enough for getting drunk. I did not know that people just go the bar to get drunk. Also, I did not know how many hours it took somebody to get drunk.

Madam Speaker, I think, the idea was to look at the business aspect so that we did not lose both ways in this economy; we need to balance. However, like I said, we are listening to different submissions on these issues. So, the next time we sit and review the measures, we should be able to take the submissions into consideration. Suffice it to say that if the situation became different tomorrow, even the two hours we are talking about would be withdrawn and we would just have to close down the bars. So, when my hon. colleagues ask questions, they should just make their questions short or make suggestions, as we are taking notes.

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

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

Madam Speaker: A point of order is raised.

Mr Kampyongo: Madam Speaker, thank you so much for permitting me to raise this very important point of order, which is premised on Standing Order No. 65(2)(a) and (f).

Madam Speaker, on Friday, the 26^th of this month, whilst I was logged in and following the proceedings of this august House during The Vice-President’s Question Time, an hon. Member breached the Standing Orders that I have cited; the hon. Member of Parliament for Bweengwa posed a question to Her Honour the Vice-President in which he alleged that after the judgment of the High Court, which sat at the Provincial Police Division Headquarters in Muchinga, I, as Member of Parliament for Shiwang’andu, and my supporters went on rampage, beating people, some of whom got admitted in hospital. However, the truth of the matter is that my supporters who attended the court session, as I have said, at the Provincial Police Division Headquarters in Chinsali, and I left the court room peacefully, and the only incident we heard of was of a United Party for National Development (UPND) cadre who was arrested for clobbering a police officer, Chief Inspector Shamulongo, at Matumbo.

Madam Speaker, was the hon. Member of Parliament in order to impute wrong motives on me, his fellow hon. Member, when he knew that I was not here to defend myself? Further, he wasted the precious time of Her Honour the Vice-President, who could have given that time to other hon. Members of Parliament to ask matters that were of an important nature.

Madam Speaker, I seek your serious guidance, because we have rules that guide our debates and the way we conduct business in this House.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Indeed, that question was asked on Friday during the Vice-President’s Question Time, but the point of order is not admissible because the question was asked last week on Friday, and you were supposed to raise the point of order immediately. That said, you can register a complaint with the Office of the Speaker.

Mr Fube: On a matter of urgent public importance, Madam Speaker.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I have also permitted the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security to issue a ministerial statement.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

We have spent more than one hour thirty minutes on matters of urgent public importance. This is a Budget Session in which we are supposed to give more time to debating the Budget. Further, we should observe how we raise points of order because when there are too many unnecessary points of order, we waste time. So, let us be organised so that when there is a genuinely urgent matter, we will have time to raise it.

MEASURES BEING TAKEN TO CURB THE ESCALATING LEVELS OF CRIME PERPETRATED BY CRIMINALS MASQUERADING AS BUS DRIVERS AND CONDUCTORS IN LUSAKA

The Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security (Mr Mwiimbu): Madam Speaker, I thank you for this opportunity to issue a statement in response to the matter of urgent public importance raised by Hon. Francis Kapyanga, Member of Parliament for Mpika Central Constituency, on the measures being taken to curb the escalating levels of crime perpetrated by criminals masquerading as bus drivers and conductors in Lusaka.

Madam Speaker, let me begin by stating that the crime statistics in Lusaka have remained almost the same. In the third quarter of 2020, the Zambia Police Service recorded 3,784 cases, compared with the 3,802 cases recorded during the same period in 2021. That said, in the recent past, the Government has noted, with great concern, that some criminals masquerading as bus drivers and conductors have been attacking and robbing unsuspecting members of the general public. For example, on 16^th August, 2021, the Zambia Police Service received a report of a lone twenty-four-year-old woman boarding a bus going to Kafue from Cosmopolitan Shopping Mall, and being raped and robbed of a mobile phone and K600. She was later dumped near York Farm in Makeni. The Zambia Police Service has since instituted investigations into that barbaric act. Once the investigations are completed, the public will be informed of the outcome.

Madam Speaker, in another case, Chawama Police Station received a report of aggravated robbery, the details of which are that on 5^th November, 2021, at around 2030 hours, a male National Institute of Public Administration (NIPA) student aged twenty-five boarded a mini bus at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) that had four occupants and was headed for the Lusaka Central Business District (CBD). On the way, the occupants of the mini bus attacked the student and robbed him of a phone, a laptop and a camera, and later dumped him in Chawama. No arrests have been made, and investigations are on-going.

Madam Speaker, to curb criminal acts in Lusaka, the following are some of the measures being implemented by the Zambia Police Service:

enhanced foot and motorised patrols, particularly in highly-prone areas;
enhanced intelligence information gathering;
implementation of various sensitisation programmes; and
engagement of stakeholders on crime prevention measures.

Madam Speaker, the Government has also noted, with concern, that unscrupulous people are using military uniforms to waylay innocent citizens. This must come to an end. Let me warn all those with criminal minds that the law will soon catch up with them, as law enforcement officers will not relent in bringing to book all those who commit crimes. Let me also take this opportunity to announce, through this House, that the Government has continued with the Firearms Amnesty Programme. The programme will end on 31^st December, 2021. So, all those with illegal firearms are encouraged to surrender the firearms to the Zambia Police Service, and the State will give a token of appreciation to all those who will do so. Once the amnesty is over, law enforcement agencies will embark on operations to confiscate all illegal firearms, and all those found wanting will face the full wrath of the law.

Madam Speaker, the New Dawn Government is anchored on law and order to foster socio-economic development. It detests criminality in any form, as crime has devastating consequences; it does not only affect victims of it, but also impedes local and foreign direct investment (FDI). Therefore, I urge the general citizenry to report any suspicious persons to law enforcement agencies. Together, we can make Zambia a crime-free country.

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

Government hon. Members: Hear, hear!

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

Mr Lusambo (Kabushi): Madam Speaker, first of all, allow me to express my disappointment.

Madam Speaker, I posed a question similar to the one the hon. Member for Mpika Central posed to the Speaker, but it was disregarded. However, today, the same question on the escalating levels of crime in Lusaka is on the Floor. Is it a policy that I have to be curtailed in this Parliament when I pose a question? I just wanted to put that on record, and it is on record that I asked this question.

Madam Speaker, now that the hon. Minister has issued this very important statement, I would like to find out from him whether it is true that crime has not escalated in Lusaka? I ask this question because he only referred to two or three incidents, yet it is in the public domain that there are issues out there, and the residents of all the compounds of Lusaka are crying. Did the statement cover the entire Lusaka?

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, if you can answer that question, please, do so.

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I also do not know whether the hon. Member wants me to respond to the insinuations he has made against you, in which has accused you of gagging him to the extent that he is no longer enjoying his freedom in this House because of you.

Laughter

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Hon. Minister, do you have an answer to the second part of his question?

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, he is completely out of order. He should not have asked you.

Laughter

Mr Lusambo: Jack, who are you to tell me that I am out of order?

Hon. Member: Bowman!

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member for Kabushi!

Can we maintain order in this House. This is a dignified House, and we are not supposed to exchange words.

Continue, hon. Minister.

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I am aware that this is not a forum for NATO forces.

Laughter

Mr Mwiimbu: This is a dignified House.

Madam Speaker, you may have heard me indicate that the crime statistics for 2020 and 2021 are almost the same for the corresponding periods. Further, the question that was posed by the hon. Member was very specific; it was in relation to taxi and bus drivers purportedly engaging in criminal activities, and I responded to that.

Madam Speaker, under the New Dawn Administration, members of the public in Zambia are now free to express themselves on the happenings in this country, and are able to report to the police without any fear of recriminations. You may be aware that during the reign of the previous Government and the former Minister for Lusaka Province, whom I am not going to mention –

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

Interruptions

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, since Independence, there have been more than fifty Ministers for Lusaka Province in this country.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Mwiimbu: I do not see why somebody should raise a point of order on this matter.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Minister!

Hon. Member for Kabushi, according to our Standing Orders, you are not supposed to raise a point of order when a Minister is on the Floor.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Let me guide.

Let us be mindful of the way we ask questions because the way we ask questions, sometimes, forces the person answering to answer in a particular way.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

I request hon. Minister to answer in such a way that the people of Zambia will listen to him. However, can we also be mindful of the way we ask questions because our people out there are listening. The way one answers can also mislead our people.

Hon. Minister, did you finish answering the question?

Mr Mwiimbu indicated dissent.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You can continue.

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I want to state, without fear of any contradiction, that the crime rate in this period is lower than it was last year and before the elections.

UPND Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Lusambo: The period is up to July.

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, you may be aware that prior to the August, 2021, Elections, members of the public were being brutalised by cadres every day at the Intercity Bus Terminus, and in markets and other trading areas. Even mourners used to be maimed at cemeteries almost every day when members of a certain political party were involved in funeral processions.

We are also aware, Madam Speaker, and through –

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, through this forum, I want to warn certain members of the public, who are seniors and leaders, that we still have a law in this country pertaining to defamation of the President. We have noted, with concern. Those are criminal activities.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

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

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, Hon. Chilangwa!

Interruptions

Hon. Member: This country belongs to all of us.

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Members!

Can we have some order, please!

We cannot continue in this manner.

Mr Chilangwa: But guide him.

Interruptions

Madam First Deputy Speaker: We cannot continue in this manner, hon. Members. We cannot continue because of where we are. We are in a very dignified House and you are hon. Members.

Mr Emmanuel M. Musonda: But why should we be threatened every day?

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, order!

We are supposed to behave in an honourable manner. We are hon. Members, but the picture we are portraying to those outside is contrary to whom we are.

In light of the situation, I am forced to move forward.

UPND Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

________

HOUSE IN COMMITTEE

[THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the

Chair]

(Consideration resumed)

The Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Members, can we minimise movements in the House.

Hon. Members: Ah!

The Deputy Chairperson: I do not want to send anyone out of the Chamber today.

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

I repeat: I do not want to send anyone out. I think this is a friendly caution.

PF hon. Members: Ah!

Laughter

VOTE 01 – (Office of the President - State House – K78,955,693)

The Vice-President (Mrs Nalumango): Mr Chairperson, in support of the mission statement, the institution’s policy statement reads as follows:

“To achieve effective and efficient advisory and support services for enhanced execution of Executive functions by his Excellency the President”.

Overview of 2021 Operations

Mr Chairperson, State House encountered various operational challenges during the year under review due to austerity measures and the Coronavirus Disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic, which slowed down the implementation of a number of programmes and activities. However, it should be noted that during 2021, the following programmes were implemented:

reviewed the placement of staff;
trained staff in long-term and short-term programmes; and
in line with the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP), 2017-2021, State House entered into smart partnerships and alliances that provided for synergies with other Government departments, firstly, as a prudent cost-saving measure and, secondly, as a means of ensuring the upgrade of the State House premises. The works covered include:

maintenance of State House Buildings, including external and internal painting;
identification and numbering of absolute plant and equipment;
landscaping and gardening services; and
upgrading of water reticulation and sanitation systems.

Challenges

Mr Chairperson, the key challenges faced by the institution include:

the outbreak of COVID-19 during the year adversely affected the implementation and monitoring of many programmes, including assessment of Presidential lodges in readiness for repairs and monitoring of major Government projects for possible intervention by the Presidency; and
dilapidated infrastructure of State House Buildings, which needs constant maintenance and rehabilitation.

2022 Budget Estimates

Mr Chairperson, it is important to note that State House functions are performed through three key programmes, namely Presidential Advisory Services, Presidential Affairs and Initiatives, and Management and Support Services.

Mr Chairperson, Presidential Advisory Services comprises various distinct areas of specialisation with the critical role of providing professional and technical back-stopping to the President on various divergent matters. The programme summary estimate is K11,433,18. The distinctive areas of specialisation are as follows:

Press and Public Relations;
Legal Advisory Services;
Political Advisory Services;
Economic Advisory Services;
Project Implementation and Monitoring; and
Public Health Advisory Services.

Presidential Affairs and Initiatives

Mr Chairperson, the Presidential Affairs and Initiatives programme’s mandate is to provide Presidential services to this Excellency the President and the First Family. The programme budget summary estimate is K13,647,454. The two areas of specialisation are diplomatic and hospitality services, and Presidential initiatives.

Management and Support Services

The programme is charged with the role of efficient and effective management staff, and provision of logistical and material support services in order to facilitate the smooth operation of the institution. The programme budget summary estimate is K53,875,058. The seven areas of speculations are:

Executive Office Management;
Human Resources and Administration;
Financial Management Accounting;
Procurement and Supplies Management;
Landscaping and Gardening Services;
Transport Management; and
Records Management.

In summary, it should be noted that State House’s estimated operational budget for 2022 is K78,955,693, compared with last year’s budget of K77,288,358.

Mr Chairperson, the Budget estimates before this august House will enable State House to upgrade and facilitate the efficient operations of its departments, pay personal emoluments, dismantle arrears, maintain State House Grounds and infrastructure, and facilitate transport management and general operations. In this regard, I appeal to hon. Members to support the Estimates of Expenditure for State House as presented.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Mundubile (Mporokoso): Mr Chairperson, I bring to the attention of the House one very important matter on Vote 01.

Sir, it is suggested in Vote 01 that the mandate of the President to discharge his Constitutional functions is derived from Articles No. 33 and 34 of the Constitution Act No. 18 of 1996, according to the Yellow Book. This has presented us with very serious trepidation because the whole Part (IV) of the Constitution Act No. 18 of 1996, including Articles No. 33 and 34, was repealed and replaced with Part (VIII) of the Constitution Amendment Act No. 2 of 2016. Therefore, to the extent that these Estimates of Expenditure draw their mandate from a non-existent Constitutional provision, your hon. Members on the left find themselves constrained from participating in this debate because any resolution passed on it will be ill-fated and unconstitutional.

PF hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mundubile: Mr Chairperson, the House must be reminded that all of us here swore to uphold the Constitution of Zambia (Amendment) Act No. 2 of 2016, and to engage in debate that will proceed in breach of the Constitution will be a violation of the oath that we all took before uttering the first word in this House.

PF hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mundubile: On this score, we expect our colleagues on your right to agree with us on the position we take to not violate the Constitution.

Mr Chairperson, as an objective Opposition, we extend an invitation to the Government to consider amending this part of the Yellow Book before we can be invited to debate the Head on the Floor of the House.

PF hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mundubile: Mr Chairperson, this is very serious. If you go to page 1 and refer to the Head that I just referred to, you will see that we cannot proceed to debate this Head when it is premised on a non-existent constitutional provision. Therefore, I seek your further guidance, but I must also be quick to mention that should the House insist on proceeding with the debate, we will exercise our right and privilege to protest in the House.

I thank you, Sir.

PF hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kambita (Zambezi East): Mr Chairperson, –

PF hon. Members rose.

Mr Mundubile: Mr Chairperson, we need a ruling on this matter.

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

This is a debate.

PF hon. Members: On what?

The Deputy Chairperson: On Head 01.

This is a debate on Head 01, not a point of order, ...

PF hon. Members: No!

The Deputy Chairperson: ... and I am disappointed that the people who have been here, in the House, long enough also behave as if they have been here for three months only.

Interruptions

Mr Mundubile: Mr Chairperson, I want to put it on record that we are proceeding with a protest to ensure that we are not party to this illegality.

PF hon. Members went and stood in front of the Clerk-at-the-Table.

UPND Hon. Member: Go well.

Hon. Member: Security!

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Business was suspended from 1603 hours until 1637 hours.

[THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the Chair]

The Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Members, in view of the concerns over Head 01, we defer the debate on it to a later date so that the concerns are addressed.

PF hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The Deputy Chairperson: We will look at Head 02.

The Vice-President: Sir, sorry, I thought I was on the Floor before you suspended business.

The Deputy Chairperson: No! We are now on Head 02. That one has been suspended. That is what I have been told.

VOTE 02 – (Office of the Vice-President – K89,405,751)

The Vice-President: Mr Chairperson, I thank you for giving me this opportunity to make a policy statement in support of the 2022 Budget Estimates for the Office of the Vice-President, which is Head 02. As I talk about this, I do realise that your House is a House of procedures. So, it is my expectation that all hon. Members will debate, raise points of concern and whatever pertains to the Head that we are debating. When they find issues, normally, they should either come up with amendments, which should have been done earlier. We could also have done it on the Floor; I could have said, ‘This issue you have raised, we take note, and this is the way to proceed.” So, as I debate this Head, if there is anything, I pray that my colleagues will not run away, but be here to debate with us so that we can move forward.

Mr Chairperson, we really want to work together in unity. We will bring that. Certain things have happened before on our colleagues’ watch. So, what is so different today? Last year, it was there.

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.

[THE DEPUTY CHAIRPERSON OF COMMITTEES in the

Chair]

(Consideration resumed)

VOTE 02 – (Office of the Vice-President K89,405,751).

The Vice-President (Mrs Nalumango): Mr Chairperson, I thank you for according me this opportunity to present the policy statement in support of the 2022 Budget Estimates for the Office of the Vice-President, namely Head 02, representing the Administration Division.

Mr Chairperson, the Office of the Vice-President is a constitutional office established under Article 110 of the Republican Constitution, as amended in 2016. The statutory functions were prescribed in Government Gazette Notice No. 1123, 2021, and are as follows:

Parliamentary Business;
Disaster and Drought Mitigation;
Resettlement; and
National Guidance.

Mr Chairperson, the Office of the Vice-President also has statutory bodies that fall under it, namely the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) and the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC). It is through such mandates and institutions that the office contributes to the attainment of a united, prosperous and equitable Zambia, in line with the country’s Vision 2030. The office also performs such Executive functions as may be delegated by the President of the Republic of Zambia.

Mr Chairperson, in terms of organisation, the Office of the Vice-President comprises the Vice-President’s Office, three divisions headed by officers at Permanent Secretary level and six departments. The divisions are as follows:

Administration Division, comprising the Departments of Human Resources and Administration, Planning and Information, and Resettlement;
Parliamentary Business Division, comprising the Parliamentary Business Department; and
Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), comprising the departments of Disaster Risk Management, and Operations.

Mr Chairperson, in preparing the 2022 Budget, the Office of the Vice-President was guided by the speech by His Excellency Mr Hakainde Hichilema, President of the Republic of Zambia, made during the Official Opening of the First Session of the Thirteenth National Assembly, under the theme, “Creating a United, Prosperous and Equitable Zambia: Restoring Economic Growth and Safeguarding Livelihoods”, and by the Budget Speech by the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, whose theme is “Growth, Jobs and Taking Development to the People”. The two speeches provided valuable guidance.

Performance Overview of the 2021 Budget

Mr Chairperson, during 2021, Head 02 was allocated K70,900,892, which was used to implement the following major programmes:

Scheme Establishment and Resettlement

Sir, this programme promotes the establishment of resettlement schemes in various parts of the country. Currently, there are ninety-three schemes across the country, covering about 1,000,000 ha of land.

Sir, during the year under review, my office initiated the process of resettling 773 targeted citizens countrywide, demarcated 1,152 plots, facilitated the issuance of title deeds to 532 settlers and linked the Kalota Rice Co-operative in Kalumbila District of the North-Western Province to the market.

Parliamentary Business

Mr Chairperson, during the period under review, my office, as Leader of Government Business in Parliament, ensured that the Executive was accountable to the people of Zambia by:

providing responses to all Questions for Oral Answer and Questions for Written Answer;
tabling Action-Taken Reports in response to the observations and recommendations of various Parliamentary Committees;
issuance of ministerial statements on various topical issues of public interest; and
provision of responses to other Parliamentary oversight instruments like Motions, Bills and annual reports.

Human Resources and Administration

Mr Chairperson, during the period under review, and in line with the 2017 National Honours and Awards (NHA) Policy, sixteen individuals were honoured by His Excellency the President of the Republic of Zambia during the two investiture ceremonies. Five were honoured on African Freedom Day while eleven were honoured on Independence Day.

Planning and Information

Mr Chairperson, during the period under review, my office continued to co-ordinate the implementation, including the monitoring and evaluation, of various developmental programmes and projects. In addition, it co-ordinated various high-level ministerial and technical committee meetings aimed at apprising the Vice-Presidency on various policy and developmental matters. Further, it co-ordinated the review of the Disaster Management Act No.11, 2010, and the 2015 National Disaster Management (NDM) Policy. The reviews have reached advanced stages. The office also developed the Resettlement Infrastructure Investment and Enterprise Support (ARIISE) Programme, which is aimed at facilitating the provision of requisite infrastructure in all the ninety-three resettlement schemes in Zambia.

Department of Finance

Mr Chairperson, in line with the Public Finance Management Act No.1 of 2018, the department provided support to the Office of the Vice-President as part of common services under Cabinet Office.

2022 Budget Estimates

Mr Chairperson, in 2022, the Office of the Vice-President has been allocated K89,480,749, compared with K70,900,892 in 2021, representing an increase of 26.1 per cent. The House may wish to note that K13,470,024 has been allocated to personal emoluments, representing a 15 per cent increment in the 2022 Budget.

Mr Chairperson, in order to reduce poverty and improve the living standards of targeted citizens, K65,443,580, representing 72.3 per cent of the 2022 Budget, has been allocated to developmental programmes.

Mr Chairperson, arising from the resources allocated, the following are the priority programmes to be implemented in 2022 under the Output-Based Budget (OBB) system:

Government Business;
Parliamentary Affairs;
Resettlement Management;
National Guidance; and
Management and Support Services.

Mr Chairperson, as I conclude, let me take this opportunity to thank the hon. Members of Parliament for always taking keen interest in the programmes under my office. In addition, I thank the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning for delivering a people-focused, growth-oriented, equitable and unprecedented 2022 Budget, which puts Zambia on a better trajectory to wealth creation and national development.

I thank you, Mr Chairperson.

Government hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Kafwaya (Lunte): Mr Chairperson, I thank you for according me this opportunity to make a contribution on Head 02. I thank Her Honour the Vice-President for her policy statement.

Sir, because of its importance, it is expected that we support Head 02. Therefore, I support it. However, in doing so, I would like to draw your attention to a few issues, maybe, one or two, that I consider important.

Mr Chairperson, on the schedule on page 21, Her Honour the Vice-President plans to resettle 500 people, and she has demarcated an equal number of plots. However, the Yellow Book does not indicate where the demarcations have been made. We have seen plots being demarcated in Kitwe, and hon. Ministers are being named among those involved, and I wonder whether that is also resettlement. Her Honour the Vice-President –

Mr Nkombo: On a point of order, Mr Chairperson.

The Deputy Chairperson: A point of order is raised.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Chairperson, I appreciate your gesture of allowing this point of order, which is raised pursuant to Part 5 of the National Assembly Standing Orders, which addresses itself to the privileges, conduct of hon. Members and parliamentary etiquette. I am going to quote the three provisions of the Standing Orders. I also make reference to precedence that has been set by this House.

Sir, Order No. 202, on page 98 of the Standing Orders, the privileges of Members of Parliament are provided for as follows:

“(1) Parliamentary privilege refers to certain rights, powers and immunities enjoyed by the House and its committees collectively and by the members individually and without which the House cannot discharge its functions effectively and efficiently.

“–

“(3) A member who abuses the privileges commits an offence of 'breach of privilege' and may be punished by the House.”

Sir, I will move on to Order No. 203, which is on the conduct of Members, reads as follows:

“(1) A member shall at all times conduct himself or herself in a manner that upholds the dignity, integrity and decorum of the House.

“(2) A member shall not act in a manner that brings the House or other members generally into disrepute.”

Mr Chairperson, I also invite you and the House to refer to Order No. 204, which addresses parliamentary decorum and etiquette. It states as follows:

“(1) Parliamentary decorum and etiquette refers to an essential standard of behaviour that a member must observe in the House in order to maintain the dignity and decency of the House.

(2) A member shall observe the following rules of parliamentary etiquette:”

“–

“(h) A member shall not obstruct, interrupt proceedings or make disruptive running commentaries when another member is speaking;”.

Mr Chairperson, this afternoon, we witnessed what could only be compared to what the United Party for National Development (UPND) hon. Members did in 2010, if I am not mistaken, when they were agitating for this House to not change any provisions of the Mung’omba Constitutional Review Commission; they left their seats and stood between the lion and the leopard, just like we have seen this afternoon, in a quest to disrupt the proceedings of the House.

Sir, I rise on this point of order because the act that we have seen this afternoon is not provided for in the conduct of our business. Apart from Hon. Miles Sampa, whom I saw entering not so long ago, are all the hon. Members of the Patriotic Front (PF) who were in the House at the juncture in question in order –

Interruptions

Mr Nkombo: Okay, I have been corrected.

Are all the PF hon. Members, and some Independent hon. Members, I am told, who disrupted the proceedings of this House by obstructing my view of what was going on in order to do what they did? I know that the only means of expressing displeasure is simply walking out.

I seek your ruling on this matter, Sir.

Mr Chilangwa: Question!

The Deputy Chairperson: I reserve the ruling on this point of order to enable me to study it and render a measured ruling on it.

Mr Kafwaya: Mr Speaker, it is an established practice that an hon. Member who disrupts another apologises for the disruption of the thought process. However, I note that the hon. Minister decided to not apologise to me for disturbing my thought process.

Mr Nkombo: I apologise.

Mr Kafwaya: Sir, let me continue by restating what I had said. We have seen land being shared in Kitwe; political party members and hon. Ministers are allegedly sharing that land, and I wonder whether that land is part of the 500 plots that she has provided for resettling people. What has worried me even more on the schedule –

Mr Haimbe: On a point of order, Sir.

The Deputy Chairperson: A point of order is raised.

Mr Haimbe: Mr Chairperson, I rise on a point of order pursuant to Standing Order 131(6) and (7), as read together with Standing Order 207, on page 102 of the National Assembly of Zambia Standing Orders, 2021.

Mr Chairperson, the reason for my rising is simple; I seek your ruling on whether the hon. Members on your left are in order to debate in this House in the face of their contempt of the House and breach of their privileges provided for in the National Assembly (Powers and Privileges) Act.

Mr Chairperson, Standing Order 207 is very clear in providing that contempt of the House, first of all, is an act, omission or conduct that obstructs or impedes either the House, hon. Members or officers in the discharge of their duties. Further, Section 19 of the Act cited earlier is very clear as to what amounts to conduct that would be considered contemptuous of this House. It provides as follows:

“Any person shall be guilty of an offence who –

“–

“(c) causes an obstruction or disturbance within the precincts of the Assembly
Chamber during a sitting of the Assembly or of a committee thereof; or

“(d) shows disrespect in speech or manner towards the Speaker; or

“(e) commits any other act of intentional disrespect to or with reference to the
proceedings of the Assembly or of a committee of the Assembly or to any
person presiding at such proceedings.”

Mr Chairperson, this point of order is in relation to contempt, not a mere breach of etiquette, and I am talking specifically about the conduct of the hon. Members on your left, which resulted in your having to adjourn the proceedings and clearly amounted to a disruption and, therefore, a breach of Section 19.

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Mr Haimbe: Yes!

Sir, the hon. Members continue to dig the hole deeper. Section 19(c) is very clear. Therefore, I ask whether the hon. Members are in order to remain in their seats, considering that they engaged in a clear act of intentional disrespect of this House and, therefore, were in contempt.

I seek your ruling, Mr Chairperson.

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

I reserve my ruling on this point of order.

Mr Kafwaya: Mr Chairperson, let me recognise the hon. Minister –

Mr Andeleki: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Kafwaya: Let me thank the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development for apologising to me with hindsight, and recognise that it appears as though ...

Mr Andeleki: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Kafwaya: ... it is a general trend that United Party for National Development (UPND) hon. Ministers cannot apologise for disturbing the flow of thought of an hon. Member who is debating on the Floor of the House.

Mr Chairperson, I was just saying that there is land that is alleged to have been shared in Kitwe; members of a political party, including hon. Ministers, have allegedly shared the land, and I wondered whether that is part of Her Honour the Vice-President’s 500-plot resettlement plan.

Mr Andeleki: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Kafwaya: Sir, what has worried me even further is that the Government has only provided for the sinking of four boreholes for the 500 people it plans to resettle. So, I wonder how her office is going to determine whom among the 500 people is going to be a beneficiary of the water reticulation programme.

Mr Andeleki: On a point of order, Sir.

Mr Kafwaya: Mr Chairperson, on the schedule on page 23, I note that under the outcomes in respect of National Values and Principles, Her Honour the Vice-President intends to sensitise ten traditional leaders, and I think she was referring to chiefs and chieftainesses. Since there are more than 200 chiefs in our country and she will only sensitise ten, assuming that will be the annual average, it means that her office is going to sensitise only fifty chiefs at the end of our colleagues’ term. Who is going to sensitise the rest of the more than 150 chiefs, considering that the National Values and Principles are very important, and we need to begin to institutionalise them and make them a part of our lives? I think that the number of traditional leaders to be sensitised needs to be increased.

Sir, on the same schedule, I further note that Her Honour the Vice-President intends to circulate 2,000 pieces of information and educational materials on the National Values and Principles to the general public, which is very important. However, she has said that only two media houses will be used, and I wonder why. I do not know whether the office chose just the Watchdog and another media house or it is just – How will they – The Government must realise that it is the biggest customer in our country and that the business it gives must be shared properly so that all players in all sectors get a share. It is my recommendation that the Government spreads the distribution of the 2,000 pieces of information to a number of media houses, which are all owned by Zambians, so that they can benefit from the national cake.

Mr Chairperson, in conclusion, when I contributed to the debate on the speech delivered by the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning and indicated that the Budget was not balancing, I was told to wait for the Yellow Book. We have waited for this Yellow Book and got it. However, it has created a worse situation than was created by the hon. Minister when he delivered his speech. The Yellow Book has numbers that are nowhere in the hon. Ministers speech. So, I think that it is very important for the Government to be serious and provide information that is credible so that the people of Zambia can have the benefit of having a Government in place.

I thank you, Sir.

Mr Kampyongo (Shiwang’andu): Mr Chairperson, thank you very much for giving me this opportunity to add my voice to the debate on this very important Vote.

Mr Chairperson, I start by assuring Her Honour the Vice-President and the Leader of Government Business in this august House that we, on your left side of the House, will support her in the quest to manage the affairs of the Government in this august House. What we bring to her attention is not in any way meant to disrupt her Government business, to detract it or to subtract from her it. Ours is to just play an oversight role and raise issues that we feel need to be addressed by the Executive.

Mr Chairperson, I want to put it on record that we are not shy to say that going forward, as we start planning for the Office of the Vice-President, which has now become an integral part of the Presidency, we must also start planning for the care of the holders of this very important office after their terms.

Mr Chairperson, the amendment of the Constitution in 2016 changed the disposition of the Office of the Vice-President. Apart from just being Leader of Government Business in Parliament, now, the Vice-Presidency runs a term with the sitting President, and that is why the qualifications are the same. So, we must not shy away from making sure that what we provide for the Head of State is almost, if not equal, to what we provide for the second highest office of this land. That is very important, and we shall support the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning, and Her Honour the Vice-President in that regard.

Mr Chairperson, the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), which falls under the Office of the Vice-President, is critical. We understand that Her Honour the Vice-President is the chairperson of the committee of Ministers established to spearhead the response to the fourth wave of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) that is coming. So, we would have loved to see an allocation to the preparations for dealing with that fourth wave of COVID-19. I say this because she co-ordinates all the ministries. The fight against COVID-19 should not be left to the Ministry of Health alone; it should be multi-sectoral and involve all the key ministries, and it is difficult for line ministries like Home Affairs and Internal Security, and Local Government and Rural Development to have appropriations in the Budget for this very important national task. So, we would have loved the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning to have created a Budget line under the Vice-President’s Office, which supervises all the line ministries in the fight against COVID-19. A substantial amount of money should have been allocated to the office because, through the DMMU, the co-ordination of programmes is much easier and effective.

Mr Chairperson, resettlement schemes are an area where we need to channel resources in order for us to realise the potential that lies in them and contribute significantly to the production of food, thereby ensuring food security. So, the allocation to this very important Budget line should have been bigger.

Mr Chairperson, the other matter is disaster management preparedness. Responding to disasters is one thing we have known how to do, but I think what is critical is alertness. We need to invest in more preparedness programmes instead of being reactive. We know how the weather patterns are, and we have the new Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, if I am right, which should play a key role in making information available to Her Honour the Vice-President so that we focus on preparing for disasters instead of reacting to them. We should be able to anticipate areas where there will be droughts and floods so that it is cheaper for her to respond to these calamities.

Mr Chairperson, finally, we want to see the Vice-President’s Office play a critical role, now that it will oversee the National Guidance portfolio, which used to be a standalone ministry. It is very important for the office to safeguard the unity of this country and promote respect for our cultural diversity. The rationale behind the establishment of a standalone ministry was to scale up activities of meant to entrench the National Values and Principles in this country for future generations to benefit from them. So, we request the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to give the Vice-President’s Office a little more resources to undertake this very important national task. We are celebrating peace, but if we do not continue investing in the peace that we have enjoyed since Independence, we risk going many steps backwards. We have so many ethnic groups that need to be bonded in order for everyone to feel and appreciate that they are part of this country, and participate in national affairs at all levels without segregation. So, the role of the Vice-President is very key, and we want her to discharge her duties without fear or favour.

I thank you, Mr Chairperson.

Mr Mwambazi (Bwana Mkubwa): Mr Chairperson, I thank you and Her Honour the Vice-President.

Mr Chairperson, the issue I want to bring to your attention is on page 15, namely Programme 3499, Sub-Programme 0006 – Financial Management – Auditing. Financial management is important, and the budget has been increased, I think, from K70 million to over K80 million. However, if you look at the allocation for financial management, which is auditing, and borders on monitoring and evaluation (M&E), you will see that it is very minimal, compared with the funds that the officers will be monitoring, and this will culminate in abuse. If you look at the allocation to disaster management vis-à-vis the allocation to the people who are going to be monitoring, I think there is no correlation.

Mr Chairperson, the issue of climate change and adaptation, which has been raised by the hon. Member or Shiwang’andu, was also discussed at the Twenty-Sixth United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26). However, I do not see a Budget line meant to ensure that the people of Zambia are well informed, and start preparing for things like floods. Is there an allocation for the climate adaptation or preparedness of the country, which I think having that is important? We should not just be engaging disaster management and mitigation. In essence, I support this budget. My comment is that the Government should ensure that those lines are looked at, and that monitoring and evaluation, which we battled with even in the execution of the previous Budget, is enhanced because there has been a lot of misappropriation of funds due to inadequate funding towards monitoring. The New Dawn Government is propagating prudent management of finances. So, it is imperative that is looked at to ensure that the officers who implement programmes are properly monitored.

Mr Chairperson, let me also comment on resettlement, although it has already been commented on. The target is 500 citizens, and 500 plots have been demarcated. Looking at the nation holistically, I think this programme also needs to be re-looked at to ensure that it is all-inclusive. Looking at the country at large, I do not think that these numbers speak to the numbers in Programme 0001, Sub-Programme 3430 – Resettlement Services and Livelihood Improvement.

Mr Chairperson, before I end my debate, let me just submit that I support this budget, which is very important. However, the issues I mentioned should be looked at to ensure that the Budgetary allocations, which have increased, are well monitored.

I thank you, Mr Chairperson.

Mr Fube (Chilubi) Mr Chairperson, I thank Her Honour the Vice-President for her elaborate statement, which highlights the roles given to her by Article 110 of the Constitution. I think the roles are quite accurate.

Mr Chairperson, the process we are undertaking will, at the end of the day, lead to the enactment of the Appropriation Act, and the journey we take matters. That is why I started my debate by appreciating Her Honour the Vice-President’s reference to her mandate as provided for by Article 110 of the Constitution. That said, and considering its budget, I feel that the Office of the Vice-President is overburdened because the roles that used to be under the Ministry of National Guidance and Religious Affairs have been taken to it, yet there were already many undertakings it was responsible for, including the co-ordination of business in the Executive and Legislative functions of the Government, viz. Parliamentary business.

Mr Chairperson, most of the budget of the Office of the Vice-President will be used for provision of services because of the nature of work the office deals with, which has to do with disaster management and mitigation. However, this time around, we hope to not have disasters because, I think, of the budget should be used for mitigation, not disaster management.

Mr Chairperson, let me draw your attention to page 25 of the Yellow Book, on the pieces of legislation that are supposed to be reviewed by the Office of the Vice-President. After consulting, which is a common practice of mine, I was educated that the Office of the Vice-President acts as more of a clearing house in terms of Government legislation. However, on page 25 of the Yellow Book, one notes that the office intends to attend to only one legislation, although on page 337, which concerns the Ministry of Justice, the package of legislation goes up to 100, in terms of what should be proposed. I am of the view that if we are to take that route, the Vice-President’s tasks on legislation should not be at variance with those of the Ministry of Justice. As I have indicated, the Office of the Vice-President has a liaison with the Ministry of Justice on legislation that comes through the windows of the ministry.

Sir, I stand to be guided on whether the Office of the Vice-President will only tackle one piece of legislation, as indicated on page 25 of the Yellow Book, as opposed to what is indicated on page 337.

Mr Chairperson, what I am proposing is that the Office of the Vice-President has been under-budgeted because the office’s roles are not resonating with those of the different ministries. For instance, we asked a question in this House about the people who live in game parks, and the hon. Minister of Tourism indicated that the Government intended to restock the game parks, among them, the Mweru Wantipa, Kasongole and Isangano. The hon. Minister of Tourism also said that all the people in those areas had to vacate them, meaning that the Government will be required to find an alternative resettlement area for the people who will be asked to vacate the areas where wild animals can be taken. Therefore, the budget for the Office of the Vice-President has to be expanded way beyond what we see because currently, it has only accommodated the resettlement of 500 households, leaving out what might come from other ministries.

Mr Chairperson, the National Values and Principles are a serious matter. So, we need to put a premium on them, especially since they are enshrined in the Constitution. There is a need for awareness on everything that surrounds them because they are a common denominator that we should be identified by. Looking at the allocation to this programme, compared with the budget for Parliamentary Business, which is K3.5 million, I think, this programme should be allocated more resources because the National Values and Principles are key to uniting the country and mainstreaming moral values in our education system, which can only be done if the budget line meets the needs.

Mr Chairperson, I thank you.

The Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Mufalali will debate. Thereafter, Her Honour the Vice-President will wind up debate.

Mr Mufalali: (Nominated): Thank you very much, Mr Chairperson. I also thank Her Honour the Vice-President for making a good presentation on the Vote for the Office of the Vice- President. From the outset, I must say that I support the Estimates of Expenditure for the Office of the Vice-President.

Mr Chairperson, going down memory lane, I realised that it was outside this building that someone shouted to me, saying, ten years after she was Deputy Speaker, lo and behold, the Former Deputy Speaker had become the Vice-President. I am really grateful for this, and the rest is history.

Mr Chairperson, as we talk about the National Values and Principles, let us not forget where we came from. Not long ago, Her Honour the Vice-President was almost killed in Shiwang’andu, together with a Former First Lady, and we watched the video clips of their being chased away. That is the more reason we should continue ensuring that the National Values and Principles are upheld in this country.

Mr Chairperson, Her Honour the Vice-President managed to stand the test of time. In ensuring that National Values and Principles are upheld, we realise that it is, indeed, necessary to support –

Mr Chilangwa: On a point of order, Mr Chairperson.

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

For the sake of progress, I will not allow any points of order.

Government hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chilangwa: No, you have to. How can it be? How? What are we doing?

The Deputy Chairperson: Hon. Chilangwa, …

Mr Chilangwa: Yes, I am here.

The Deputy Chairperson: … I will not allow you to continue behaving like that.

Mr Chilangwa: Oh! Are you sure?

The Deputy Chairperson: Yes!

Hon. Mufalali, continue.

Mr Mufalali: Mr Chairperson, I am talking about National Values and –

Interruptions

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

Serjeant-At-Arms, allow Hon. Chilangwa to leave the Chamber, or else I will mention him, which will not be good.

Hon. Chilangwa, leave the Chamber right away.

Government hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Chilangwa: You are not being fair. No point of order here. No point of order that side. This is not right. Tiyeni! Let us just go!

PF hon. Members walked out of the Assembly Chamber.

The Deputy Chairperson: Serjeant-At-Arms, do your work.

Continue, Hon. Mufalali.

Mr Mufalali: Mr Chairperson, we are talking about the National Values and Principles of this country which, previously, were under the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs.

Mr Chairperson, it is right to support this Vote on National Values and Principles for one simple reason: We are upholding something that we believe in.

Mr Chairperson, I want to put it on record that if Her Honour the Vice-President did not believe in the National Values and Principles, at one time, she would have allowed a situation in which this country would have degenerated. The majority of us would have fought back because, by then, we would have had power. However, she stood firm and ensured that did not happen in this country, and I want to put it on record that she did the right thing in ensuring that cultural and national values were upheld in this country.

Mr Chairperson, let me talk about the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), which had degenerated into something else and become a disaster, itself, because of the way the Patriotic Front (PF) were running it.

Government hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mufalali: Mr Chairperson, the DMMU had degenerated to a point where some people engaged their girlfriends to be distributers, which was not good. That was absurd. Now, we believe that the New Dawn Government is going to straighten things out. We know that under the PF Government, the DMMU was a source of destruction, and it was abused during by-elections to distribute food without remorse. Here we are today; the people of Zambia answered the call because they realised that the PF had become a disaster.

Mr Chairperson, as I support the Estimates of Expenditure for the Office of the Vice-President, I put it on record that, under the New Dawn Government, we look forward to a new way of doing things in which everyone is equal before the law, and I am very happy that the New Dawn Government is walking the talk and the whole nation is watching. This Government is the pride of this nation because it is doing the right thing.

Government hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mufalali: No one should take that away from it because it has taken steps to unite this country, a move that was not seen in the past ten years when this country was degenerating. Today, some people are standing without shame and saying that we must hold this country together when they almost broke this country into pieces. Thank God, things happened the other way round, and Her Honour the Vice-President is managing this country and this House in a manner that befits a Vice-President, not the confusion that we saw this afternoon. That is unacceptable.

Mr Chairperson, the confusion in Shiwang’andu, where Her Honour the Vice-President was almost killed, and in many other places where she was attacked should never come back to this country because, before that, this country had been solid and united. However, under the PF and President Edgar Lungu, things started going haywire, and that is unacceptable.

Mr Chairperson, we thank God, and I thank Her Honour the Vice-President for the presentation.

I thank you, Mr Chairperson.

Government hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Mr Chairperson, thank you for giving me an opportunity to say a few words on the issues that have been observed in relation to the Office of the Vice-President. I will try to respond in a chronological order.

Mr Chairperson, I will first respond to Hon. Kafwaya, who talked about the schedule on page 21 and the 1,152 plots being the same as the ones in Kitwe, which he said are being shared by politicians. The plots Hon. Kafwaya referred to are not under the Department of Resettlement, and they are not the ones we are referring to. They are probably under the council. Therefore, no politicians or Ministers are sharing them. Probably, they are getting them legally from the right place.

Mr Chairperson, the hon. Member also asked how there are only four boreholes for the 532 people we have settled. The four boreholes are not really for those people; they are for specific settlements. There are many schemes, and I think I mentioned that they are up to ninety-three. So, I did not mean that the boreholes are for all those schemes.

Sir, Hon. Kafwaya also talked about National Values and Principles, I think, and yes, they are very important. You have seen that many hon. Members have spoken about them, and we do agree that, as Zambia and as the New Dawn Government, we have a duty. My office has a duty to sensitise people; not just the four chiefs he referred to. It does not mean that is the only way of sensitising. We continue to sensitise Zambians on the issue of the National Values and Principles that help to keep our nation stable. It is our duty, particularly as the Government, to ensure that values are promoted in our country; this is the role that we have.

Mr Chairperson, I do understand the pain; I am going to respond to the last speaker on values. Many Zambians went through a lot of pain under the previous regime, but we are not it. It takes time to heal, and we are feeling the pain and still have the wound, but our intention is truly to see unity. We must work on unity. Where our colleagues failed, they must see that there is a New Dawn Government and that life is starting all over again. We will not work the way they did in so many things, which brought disunity among people of different tribal and political affiliations. We will not go that way. So, I urge all of us who are hurting to be different; that is what makes us stand out. After President Hichilema completes his two terms in ten years, Zambia should be different.

UPND hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Zambia will, once again, be ‘One Zambia, One Nation’, and achieving that will not depend on those who failed; it will depend on us, the hon. Members.

Hon. Members, I like to speak from my heart. Forgive me if you do not feel that way; it is us who need healing. We were offended, but if we are going to continue living with pain, Zambia will not heal. We forgive them, but we do not forget.

UPND hon. Members: Hear, hear!

The Vice-President: Someone wrote something to that effect.

Sir, we have to really start feeling the healing so that Zambia can unite. For us, we will continue, as the President of the republic continuously calls on us to work on unity and act differently from the way our colleagues act. Otherwise, we would be them, which we are not.

Mr Chairperson, a number of people have spoken on the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit (DMMU), but the unit is under another Vote, Vote 19, not the Vote we are debating now.

I thank you, Mr Chairperson.

Vote 02 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

VOTE 03 – (National Assembly – K715,578,845).

The Deputy Chairperson: By practice, the House does not debate its budget. Therefore, I will straightaway put the question.

Vote 03 ordered to stand part of the Estimates.

VOTE 29 – (Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development – K5,766,013,145).

The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development (Mr Nkombo): Mr Chairperson, I am greatly honoured to have this opportunity to present the policy statement in support of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development budget, in line with the 2022 National Budget, themed “Growth, Jobs and Taking Development Closer to the people.” This theme aptly informs my ministry’s budget which, as you will note, has been given significant allocations, with programmes that will facilitate equitable growth and development, and job creation at the local government level.

Mr Chairperson, this honourable House might be aware that my ministry was realigned under Government Gazette No.1123 of 2021 to encompass rural development and customary affairs. This has repositioned the ministry for effective administration and oversight of local authorities and, subsequently, enhancement of equitable service delivery at the local level, with special focus on rural areas.

Mr Chairperson, rural development is a critical function added to my ministry to help it facilitate the improvement of livelihoods and enhancement of access to sustainable services for our rural populations. This is also in line with the United Party for National Development (UPND) promise to deliver development to all parts of the country, not the urban areas only.

Mr Chairperson, the 2022 Budget for the ministry focuses on the ministry’s mandate to promote a decentralised and democratic local government system, and facilitate the provision of quality and sustainable municipal services. The ministry will, therefore, implement programmes and projects that will add value to the principles of good local governance, enhancement of infrastructure development and provision of municipal services.

Sir, the ministry’s budget will have specific programmes designed to reduce the gap among urban, rural and peri-urban areas. It will also focus on key capacity development programmes designed to enhance the local authorities’ capacity to utilise the resources being devolved to them, and ensure sustainable implementation of programmes and projects by local authorities.

2021 Budget Performance

Mr Chairperson, with regard to the budget performance in 2021, as at October, 2021, the ministry had received a total amount of K1,828,852,679 against the approved Estimates of K1,494,521,865, representing 86 per cent of the funds released. Key programmes received varying percentages of releases. Under local government, the ministry was funded K1.5 billion of the approved K1.4 billion, representing 79.78 per cent release. This funding included a grant to institutions, which were funded as follows:

Programme Funded Disbursement Percentage

Constituency Development Fund (CDF) 100

Local Government Equalisation Fund 100

Grants in lieu of rates 79

Mr Chairperson, my ministry received K21.78 million for municipal infrastructure, against the approved budget of K28.57 million, representing 76.21 per cent. This funding was to facilitate solid waste management services, markets and bus station infrastructure development, and fire and rescue services. Although a significant amount of the budget was released, I wish to state that the allocation was insufficient to facilitate effective implementation of projects under the programme.

Mr Chairperson, the ministry received K3.2 million for urban and regional planning, against an approved allocation of K3.86 million. That represented 83.55 per cent of the budget. The funds were meant to facilitate the management of human settlements through spatial planning and land use management.

Mr Chairperson, my policy statement would be incomplete if I did not make a short statement on over-procurement of both feeder and urban roads to contractors, most of them, Zambian nationals affiliated with, or members of, the former Ruling Party, and this situation created a huge budget overrun. For example, and I stated this in my previous engagement on the Floor of this House, over a period of four years, K1.3 billion was allocated for both township roads and feeder roads, yet K17.5 billion worth of works were contracted during the same period, thereby creating what I now describe as a total crisis. It might be important for this House and the whole country to know that going by the budgetary provisions of around K250 billion per annum, it would take forty-three years to clear the arrears I am talking about. Fortunately, and it is important for me to communicate this through the Floor of this House, of the K17.5 billion worth of works contracted, there are some contracts on which payments have not been made and there are those in which interim payment certificates (IPCs) were issued and were paid. The expectation is that the contractors who were paid will, and I want to emphasise, ‘will’ deliver.

Sir, in the next few days, my ministry, having engaged a consultant, will embark on a countrywide tour to separate those who met their contractual obligations from those who did not so that those who did the works diligently do not suffer as a result of those who got money, but supplied nothing.

2022 Budget

Mr Chairperson, the 2022 budget for the ministry is premised on following three main concepts:

enhancement of the provision of resources to the local level for heightened and equitable provision of services closer to the people;
enhancement of the capacity of structures at the provincial, district and sub-district levels in line with the National Decentralisation Policy; and
strengthening of the participatory nature, and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of enhanced use of resources and subsequent improvement of service and delivery.

Sir, allow me to outline the budgetary allocation for the forthcoming fiscal year.

Mr Chairperson, the 2022 budget for the ministry stands at K5,766,013,145, compared with the K1,494,521,865 billion allocated in 2021, representing an increase of 285 per cent. The astronomical increase is attributed to the grants and transfers, which have increased by over 1,000 per cent, from the 2021 Budget and accounts for over 90 per cent of the budget. This increase is a clear indication that the New Dawn Government –

Mr Chairman: Order!

The Hon. Member’s time expired.

Mr Nkombo: I thank you, Mr Chairperson.

Laugher

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan): Mr Chairperson, I thank the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development for his policy statement. From the outset, let me say that I support the budget of K5,766,013,145.

UPND hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr J. Chibuye: Sir, to begin with, I appreciate the fact that the ministry has been realigned from the ‘Local Government and Housing’ to ‘Local Government and Rural Development’. What this entails is that now, as we are seeing, the ministry is taking care even of the vulnerable; the people who were not looked after in the rural local areas.

Mr Chairperson, it is high time people in rural areas also started benefitting from the national cake. Indeed, we want to see an improvement in rural and peri-urban areas where, I believe, with the realignment of the ministry, we shall have an improved road network. We are all aware that in our country today, we are emphasising diversification of the economy through agriculture. So, it is sad that our rural roads were not taken care of in the past. It is also sad to note, from the policy statement, that some contractors who were engaged to work on rural feeder roads and got paid did not deliver the projects to the Government, and I urge the hon. Minister to ensure that all such people do the work accordingly. Otherwise, we can do nothing, but to allow the law to take its course.

Government hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr J. Chibuye: Mr Chairperson, I want to emphasise that when we take development to rural areas through the ministry, we are likely to see improved sanitation there, including in schools, local courts and health centres. In this regard, I urge the hon. Minister to ensure that we embark on the construction of ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrines in rural areas to improve the health and standards of living of people there.

Sir, the realignment of the ministry will also improve many things insofar as local authorities are concerned. We want to see an improvement in refuse collection. Many councils have been reluctant to collect refuse. As we are aware, there is climate change and, with the onset of the rainy season, we do not want to add cholera and other contagious water-borne diseases to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic we are currently fighting. So, we want to see the local authorities equipped with modern refuse collection equipment so that there is an improvement in refuse collection.

Mr Chairperson, as I support the hon. Minister’s budget, I emphasise that we need to also provide clean water in our rural areas. Now that the ministry has been given the rural development function, we need to see more boreholes drilled or, where people are closer to the water facilities, some rural areas, especially the chiefdoms, connected to running water.

Mr Chairperson, as I have said, solid waste is a source of concern, and the local authorities just need to improve on its management. I do not want to overemphasise on the need to improve and work on the rural feeder roads, but I am aware that there used to be a unit called the Rural Roads Unit (RRU) under the Ministry of Works and Supply that was mandated to look after rural roads. Today, it is in the hon. Minister’s scope to ensure that all the feeder roads in rural areas are passable. That is the only way we are going to take development to rural areas and empower the rural citizenry, as they engage in farming, which we are telling them to do, to deliver their farm produce to the markets more easily. It will also be easier for the Government to deliver farming inputs to the farmers.

Mr Chairperson, with these few words, I support the hon. Minister’s budget because I know that it will be beneficial even to my constituency, as there are some peri-urban areas there.

Mr Chairperson, I thank you.

Government hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Mutinta (Itezhi-Tezhi): Mr Chairperson, I thank Hon. Nkombo for the policy statement on his ministry.

Sir, I strongly support the conversation and the budget. Perhaps, I should also add that as we deliberate on this ministry’s budget, we need to broaden our conversation on the question of rural development. I think, there have been conversations on taking development to the rural areas but, for a long time, we have not seen any tangible development trickle down to the rural areas. As you may be aware, many economic facilities in rural areas, such as markets, are dysfunctional. Further, there are more inequalities, including gender imbalances, in rural areas than in urban ones. So, looking at this budget, which is deliberately designed to take development closer to the people, I think we are headed in the right direction.

Mr Chairperson, as we work with this budget, which is meant to change the rural areas, we need to be very deliberate so that at the end of the day, we really see change in the rural areas because there is more poverty there than in rural areas. So, I am in full support of this budget, and we really need to define the measures that will be taken in order to see tangible change in the rural areas.

I thank you, Mr Chairperson.

Government hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nyambose (Chasefu): Mr Chairperson, I thank the hon. Minister for his well-articulated policy statement. I also thank you for giving me this opportunity to add my voice, on behalf of the people of Chasefu, to the debate on this important ministry, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

Mr Chairperson, there can never be any meaningful development or appreciation of the development of any nation if the local government system is non-functional. In this regard, the hon. Minister’s policy statement and the direction he has established in the ministry are unprecedented, and they have given hope that under his leadership and the leadership of the New Dawn Government, we can see change in the local government system of this country. I say so because many pronouncements have been made to the effect that come 2022, there will not be any salary arrears for council workers.

Mr Chairperson, as you are aware, there cannot be any development if the mover or engine of development is not well remunerated. It is strange in this country that workers under the ministry have continued working with salary arrears, yet we expect them to deliver to the expectations of the people of Zambia. For example, how do we expect them to collect refuse when they go without pay for three to four months? Under the leadership of Hon. Nkombo and the New Dawn Government, I see hope, and I encourage him to work harder.

Mr Chairperson, from the time there were seventy-two local authorities in this country, many political pronouncements and declarations were made. Now, there are 116 rural district councils, but the infrastructure in those councils is not something to talk about. For example, in Chasefu, the council uses a rented two-bedroomed or three-bedroomed house; it does not have a civic centre. I, therefore, appeal to the hon. Minister and the Government to consider putting money aside for development of infrastructure like good civic centres so that we show the people that the Government cares for them. This Government is going to deliver to the people of this country. So, I want to see something provided for in this budget, hon. Minister.

Mr Chairperson, on the issue of pensions, the hon. Minister is aware that the Local Authorities Superannuation Fund (LASF), under his ministry, is the pension scheme for local authorities, ZESCO Limited and the Lusaka Water Supply and Sanitation Company (LWSC). However, from February, 2000, when the National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) Act was enacted, all new employees were taken to NAPSA, and that killed LASF. Therefore, it is prudent for the hon. Minister to put more money into helping the councils to make money and pay their workers who, in turn, will be able to remit statutory obligations to LASF and enable those who are retiring to get their pensions.

Mr Chairperson, the other issue in which I urge the hon. Minister to take interest is that of overemployment. The Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) is very good. Therefore, when it is appointed, it should ensure that there is a focus on capacity building through training, unlike what is happening currently. The principle of the local government system is that it has more workers at the lower levels, such as those who collect refuse and deal with the communities. However, the current system is a funnel; it is top-heavy, instead of a pyramid with a few people at the helm and more at the bottom. The people of Zambia will appreciate more the people who are visible in providing services; those they see collecting refuse, and be inspired to pay rates and taxes.

Mr Chairperson, currently, there seems to be overemployment, and that is what is causing arrears. On their own, the councils do not collect enough to pay their workers. So, we are missing the point. Instead of delivering to the people of Zambia, we are collecting revenue to pay ourselves, which is a normal thing because one cannot let a worker got without pay. So, we need to improve. The hon. Minister should focus on capacity building and reduce on recruitment, especially of senior officers, because there are already well-qualified workers in the councils. That way, the people of Zambia will be able to see why the local authorities are there.

Mr Chairperson, I have seen that some money has been allocated firefighting training, which is very good. However, firefighters are supposed to wear special uniforms during firefighting; not the ceremonial uniforms, but firefighting equipment that can save them from fires and help them work very well. The hon. Minister needs to consider that. It is quite expensive, but the ministry, under the hon. Minister’s leadership, can provide for it in its budget to help the firefighters, which is critical. Our firefighters need to be top of the range prioritised so that they can respond to calamities.

Mr Chairperson, I support this budget in its totality. However, I have mentioned the challenges. On rural roads, I would be very glad if I went to Chasefu with the team so that I can show it one of the most important roads that was abandoned by some contractor. The Government is well-focused, but the hon. Minister needs to work with hon. Members of Parliament so that they can show him the challenges they are facing, such as the state of rural roads and a lack of access to water. That said, he needs support.

Mr Chairperson, as an Independent Member of Parliament, I appreciate our mother, Her Honour the Vice-President, for the kind words she spoke. Two or three days ago, when I was debating one of the Votes, I mentioned that the New Dawn Government should give this country a new beginning because it has the mandate of the people. It should talk less and act more because many people are angry. The Government should stop talking and start acting because Zambians voted for it. So, it should listen to our mother. The hon. Members on the right have the mandate to govern. So, they should show Zambians that they are a good Government and heal this country by acting on those who wronged the nation silently, but decisively.

I thank you, Mr Chairperson.

Mr Nkombo: Mr Chairperson, I am left with no option, but to profusely thank my colleague, the Member for Roan, Hon. Chibuye, for the kind words in his contribution.

Mr Chairperson, Hon. Chibuye recognised the benefits of the realignment of the ministry. He also lamented the state of rural roads and emphasised a point that I have already made. Put in my words, he says that we must separate the good from the bad in the road sector. Definitely, there are genuine and good contractors, but there has also been a proliferation of cadres in this area, and that is why an audit is imperative. In this regard, I inform the hon. Member that we are not in a hurry to do the sorting. Rather, we want to do things in a more systematic, but fair way so that those who have been prudent on the job get the benefit of the prudence. As His Excellency the President, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, said in his maiden speech to this House, there will be benefits for being honest.

Mr Chairperson, unfortunately, we have a situation in which the naked eye is not able to decipher the good, the bad and the ugly. So, we had to contract experts, and I issued a statement to this House in which I indicated that we had given the mandate to people who know what to do, not the charlatans who stormed the ministry and collected contracts in the absence of expertise then went to rural areas, where our people are in dire need of development, scraped the roads, produced IPCs and waited to get money. Is it not a wonder to the hon. Member, dear colleague, brother and friend, that ever since the New Dawn Government came into office, you no longer see boys and girls playing around with cash on social media? That is something to be reckoned with because the future is now here, and things will no longer be like they used to be during the time of the Patriotic Front (PF).

Government hon. Members: Hear, hear!

Mr Nkombo: I want my colleague to know that our suspicion, and we shall establish it very soon, is that the ministry was a conduit for siphoning off public resources. No one has explained how there are suddenly diminishing levels of people playing with cash when in the past, people would even burn US$100 bills. We all saw that.

Government hon. Members: Shame!

Mr Nkombo: Some people put K1,800, by today’s exchange rate, on fire and boasted that they were the ones. Such little things add up into the bigger things that you are going to discover soon about how this country was being run. They say, ‘Show me your friends, and I will show you your character’.

Sir, in responding to Hon. Nyambose, because he also touched on the roads, I say that my ministry has become what we call ‘malende’ in Tonga, which is a place where you do not just go anyhow, because many are scared of being identified for who they truly are. I must say this, and I have said it before and will say it again: Only a handful of people, some of them in this House, are genuine contractors, and they came and demonstrated that they are contract holders. I told a few of them, some of them in this House, that they were welcome and that we should walk this path together and make sure that they delivered the service that they claim they delivered. Then, they will get their money.

Mr Chairperson, I thank Hon. Nyambose for all the good things he has said. He said so much about our council workers, and we will sit with the Ministry of Finance and National Planning to try and make adjustments so that some of the money that has been allocated to the ministry is ring-fenced for payment of salaries. It is because of the non-payment of salaries that our workers in local authorities get the bad ideas of defrauding the councils.

The Deputy Chairperson: Order!

The hon. Member’s time expired.

VOTE 29 ordered to stand part of Estimates.

(Debate adjourned)

_______

HOUSE RESUMED

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

(Progress reported)

_______

The House adjourned at 1842 hours until 1430 hours on Wednesday, 1^st December, 2021.

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