Thursday, 21^st October, 2021

 

The House met at 1430 hours

 

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

NATIONAL ANTHEM

 

PRAYER

 

______

 

MATTERS OF URGENT PUBLIC IMPORTANCE

 

MR EMMANUEL M. MUSONDA, HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR LUPOSOSHI CONSTITUENCY, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE ON FARMERS IN SOME PROVINCES BEING DENIED FISP TOP-UP PACKS

 

Mr Emmanuel M. Musonda: On a matter of urgent public importance, Madam Speaker.

 

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

 

Mr Emmanuel M. Musonda: Madam Speaker, I rise on a very serious matter of urgent public importance in accordance with Standing Order No. 134.

 

Madam Speaker, under the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), farmers are required to deposit K400 to access eight to nine bags of fertiliser and a top-up pack of a 25 kg of soya beans, groundnuts or sorghum. The farmers adequately prepared to receive these inputs and made deposits, and the bags of fertiliser and top-up packs were delivered to all the depots under the FISP. However, in the Northern, Luapula, Muchinga, Copperbelt and Eastern provinces and parts of Central Province, farmers have been denied top-up packs, but the legume seeds are already in the depots. Instead, each farmer has been allowed to collect only six bags of fertiliser and 10 kg of maize seed.

 

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister of Agriculture in order to deliberately keep quiet on this important matter, knowing that food security has been threatened because of the directive that the Ministry of Agriculture, which is under his charge, has issued to the District Agriculture Co-ordinators (DACOs) to deny the farmers in the Northern, Luapula, Muchinga and Eastern provinces top-up packs that they adequately paid for? The hon. Minister has also neglected to issue a statement to this House on why the Government has made this directive to the DACOs.

 

 Madam Speaker, under the Constitution of Zambia, all citizens are supposed to be fairly treated. The rainfall in the Northern, Luapula, Muchinga and Copperbelt provinces, and parts of Central Province is adequate. 

 

Madam Speaker, I need your serious directive. 

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I recall very well that the hon. Minister of Agriculture issued a statement in which he clearly stated that this year, all the farmers will be given six bags of fertiliser and 10 kg of seed. If the picture on the ground is different; if, as you have said, some farmers have been given top-up packs, I will refer this matter to the hon. Minister of Agriculture and ask him to issue a statement on the matter to this House on a Wednesday, if at all there is something new on the ground.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

MR MUNDUBILE, HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR MPOROKOSO, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND INTERNAL SECURITY ON ESCALATING LEVELS OF VIOLENCE IN THE COUNTRY

 

Mr Mundubile: On a matter of urgent public importance, madam speaker.

 

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

 

Mr Mundubile: Madam Speaker, I rise on a matter of urgent public importance under Standing Order No. 134.

 

Madam Speaker, the matter on which I rise relates to the escalating levels of violence in the country. The citizens are worried that it has now become common practice for United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres to harass witnesses around the courts, especially those they know could have evidence against them. We know that there are a number of petitions going on all over the country. 

 

Madam Speaker, His Excellency the President of this Republic came to address this House, and while in that chair, he stated that he would govern using the rule of law and committed himself to guaranteeing the freedoms and fundamental rights of the people of Zambia as guaranteed by the Constitution.

 

Madam Speaker, we were told, and we know, that Hon. Chisopa was harassed in Mkushi; it was all over the media. What followed that was harassment of the Mayor of Kabwe at a court. Further, Hon. Christopher Shakafuswa’s witness was harassed at the High Court in front of the court and police officers, and within metres of the Police Headquarters, the Ministry of Justice and the Cabinet Office. As I speak, the victim of that violence has been in police cells for the past fourteen days, yet the President came to this House and said, “From now on, we will ensure that nobody is held beyond forty-eight hours without being given bond.” Additionally, as late as today, witnesses in the case of our hon. Member for Matero, Mr Miles Sampa, were harassed at the High Court.

 

Madam Speaker, we cannot continue to turn a blind eye to the violence. We have all had recourse to the videos of the violence.

 

Madam Speaker, had it not been for the intervention of brave police officers, on 8^th October, 2021, we would have recorded another death of an innocent citizen at the court. Meanwhile, the police continue saying that it is investigating or that it requires evidence for things that happened right in their faces.

 

Madam Speaker, we have to be serious when we talk about governing a country. We have remained silent, hoping that our friends will take a position and govern. Governing means guaranteeing the fundamental rights of the people of Zambia, and allowing them to move and assemble. If one petitions the election of Hon. Christopher Shakafuswa, Hon. Shakafuswa has the right to –

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

 

Could you summarise your point?

 

Thank you, and go ahead.

 

Mr Mundubile: Madam Speaker, for this matter to be fully appreciated, it is important that we give a full background. It will not serve a purpose for us to abbreviate or leave out certain details. What is required is for us to bring out the full effect of this point of order so that when the hon. Minister comes, if at all he will come, he will be able to speak to the issue that has been raised. This is a very important point of order, and it should not be taken as an ordinary political statement, as it affects all of us.

 

Madam Speaker, if violence is left to continue, it will certainly consume all of us. So, we want our friends on the right to take this matter very seriously. I know that the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, a colleague of mine and fellow Counsel, has been against violence many a time. I do not know what has changed now. He is a man who stood where I am standing now and spoke very strongly against violence.

 

Hon. Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mundubile: My dear hon. Colleague, Mr J. J. Mwiimbu would bounce here when talking about violence. What has changed now?

 

Fellow counsel, what has changed now? Counsel, you know that your conscience, as a lawyer, like my conscience –

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Leader of the Opposition, please let us not debate.

 

Mr Mundubile: Madam Speaker, the conscience against violence comes naturally to us as lawyers. He must be able to feel and rise above politics to address this matter. I believe that President Hichilema chose him very carefully because there are certain matters that need to be addressed.

 

Madam Speaker, my point of order, therefore, is: Has the New Dawn Government failed to control violence?

 

Hon. Government Members: Question!

 

Mr Mundubile: Is there failure on the part of the New Dawn Government to handle this violence? Has it deliberately ignored the calls by the President to have a violent-free environment? Is cadreism only cadreism if it is under the Patriotic Front (PF)? Is cadreism only cadreism if it is perpetrated by others? Why should we, as a country, begin to operate different systems under different laws, whereby a UPND cadre commits an offence in the front of a court, but that is not considered an offence? When a PF cadre commits a similar or lighter offence, there is drama, and people are in a hurry to arrest him.

 

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security in order to remain silent when all these atrocities are being committed under his nose?

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you so much, although your point ended up being a debate. We have heard what the point of order is all about, that is, violence in the country. I, therefore, direct the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security to issue a statement. I do not know if he is ready now, or whether we should give him time on Tuesday next week to issue a statement on violence in the country.

 

MR B. MPUNDU, HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR NKANA CONSTITUENCY,  ON THE GOVERNMENT’S SILENCE ON A LOOMING DISASTER IN NKANA CONSTITUENCY

 

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

 

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

 

Mr B. Mpundu: Madam Speaker, I rise on a matter of urgent public importance, as provided for in Standing Order No. 134.

 

Madam Speaker, there is a looming disaster in my constituency in an area called Chachacha, whose population is estimated to be over 1,000 people. Over 150 houses there may collapse any day, and I remember very well that this matter was brought to this august House in the last Meeting. I remember that because I served in the city as District Commissioner (DC). There was a group of hon. Ministers or hon. Members of Parliament who went to establish the extent of the challenge we are talking about. It has been over two years now. I remember very well that the then Leader of Government Business in the House brought this matter and made directives over it.

 

Madam Speaker, is the Government in order to be quiet and to wait for the lives of people to be lost before affirmative action can be taken over the matter?

 

Madam Speaker, I seek your serious ruling on the matter.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you so much, hon. Member for Nkana, for raising this matter.

 

Hon. Member, I direct you to reduce to writing the matter of urgent public importance and have it brought on the Floor of this House in Wednesday next week. For the procedure, you can approach the Office of the Clerk of the National Assembly. 

 

MR MUNG’ANDU, HON. MEMBER  OF PARLIAMENT FOR CHAMA SOUTH, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND INTERNAL SECURITY, ON ELECTORAL VIOLENCE IN THE COUNTRY

 

Mr Mung’andu: On a matter of urgent public importance, Madam Speaker.

 

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

 

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, I am compelled to stand on a matter of urgent public importance under Standing Order No. 134.

 

Madam Speaker, this point of order is on the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security. I know that the hon. Leader of the Opposition referred to the violence that is happening within the precincts of our courts of law. However, my point of order has to do with electoral violence. If this violence is not controlled, we risk putting this country in a serious situation.

 

Madam Speaker, I am referring to a number of incidents that have happened in the Kaumbwe by-election and the Msanzala Constituency Council Chairperson election. Just yesterday, our Party Vice-President, Mr Given Lubinda, no sooner had he completed his radio interview in Petauke than United Party for National Development (UPND) cadres pounced on him. As the people are voting, the vehicle for the Chairperson of Kaumbwe Constituency has been smashed by UPND cadres.

 

Madam Speaker, I want to remind the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security that  the Patriotic Front (PF) party is a very strong party and that if we tell our people to retaliate –

 

Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

 

Can you, please, go straight to your point of order and not describe how powerful you are or how weak the other people are. Go straight to the point of order.

 

Hon. Member: Or how corrupt his party is.

 

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, I take great exception to what one of the hon. Members has just commented because I believe I am not corrupt, and I will never be corrupt. So, I do not take kindly to that, and I need your serious protection because this is the House of –

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: You are protected, hon. Member.

 

Please, continue.

 

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, I want to mention to you why we were voted out. It is because of cadreism. Cadres occupied markets and charged people. There was violence here and there. The same police who were accused of being a PF police has now become a UPND police.

 

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security in order to keep quiet when UPND cadres are busy harassing our people in Kaumbwe and Petauke constituencies, where elections are taking place, when we are supposed to be campaigning freely? I believe politics is a game of ideas, not of physical things. Is the hon. Minister in order to fail to manage peace, which the people of Zambia put him in that position for?

 

Madam Speaker, I need your serious ruling.

 

Hon. Government Members: Question!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, the way I look at your point of urgent public importance is that it is the same as that raised by the hon. Leader of the Opposition, who came out strongly in talking about violence in the country. I, therefore, ask the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security to make one statement on violence, regardless of whether it is political violence or any other form of violence. We need a statement of that nature, like I ruled on the point of order that was raised by the hon. Leader of the Opposition.

 

MR KAPYANGA, HON. MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR MPIKA CENTRAL, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF HEALTH FOR REMAINING QUIET ON THE OUTBREAK OF TYPHOID FEVER AND DYSENTRY

 

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

 

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

 

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, I rise on a matter of urgent public importance under Standing Order No. 134, which states that a member who intends to raise a matter of urgent public importance may at an appropriate time rise in his/her seat or indicate the intention electronically, which I have done.

 

Madam Speaker, some people in Lusaka admitted in various hospitals are being told that they have typhoid fever. People are being diagnosed with typhoid fever and, in some cases, dysentery. The Ministry of Health has not put up any advertisement or announcement to inform members of the public that there is an outbreak of such diseases.

 

Madam Speaker, with your indulgence, I want to interrogate the hon. Minister of Health. Is she in order to remain quiet on this matter? Is this so-called New Dawn Government in order to remain quiet when some people are on the verge of dying from the named diseases?

 

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

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Thank you hon. Member for Member for Mpika Central.

 

This matter of urgent public importance will be directed to the hon. Minister of Health, who will come to this House next week on Thursday to issue a statement on the diarrhoeal diseases that are being experienced in Lusaka.

 

MR MENYANI ZULU, HON. MEMBER FOR NYIMBA, ON THE HON. MINISTER OF ENERGY FOR REMAINING QUIET WHEN ZAMBIAN FUEL TRANSPORTERS HAVE PARKED THEIR TRUCKS AND FUEL PROCURED BY THE ZAMBIAN GOVERNMENT IS TRANSPORTED BY FOREIGN TRUCKERS

 

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

 

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

 

Mr Menyani Zulu: Madam Speaker, I rise on a matter of urgent public importance under Standing Order No. 134.

 

Madam Speaker, yesterday, during the 1900 hours news on the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC), there was a news item about the Copperbelt.

 

Mr Menyani Zulu’s link had poor connectivity.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

 

Your link is not so clear.

 

Mr Menyani Zulu: Madam Speaker, yesterday, during the 1900 hours news on the ZNBC, there was a matter of public importance concerning our local transporters parking their trucks. The only trucks ferrying fuel procured by the Zambian Government for the Zambian people to use, the fuel that you and I use, are owned by foreign companies. This means that at the end of the month, our drivers, mechanics, shops – No one will buy spares – (inaudible).

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order, hon. Member!

 

Your link is breaking and, therefore, we cannot get what you are saying. Your link is not clear.

 

Try again.

 

Mr Menyani Zulu: Madam Speaker, let me try again.

 

Madam Speaker, yesterday, during the 1900 hours news on the ZNBC, there was –

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member, your connection is still very bad. We cannot get you.

 

Mr Menyani Zulu: Madam Speaker, are you able to get me now?

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Yes. You are now loud and clear.

 

Mr Menyani Zulu: Madam Speaker, yesterday, during the 1900 hours main news on the ZNBC, there was an item concerning our local transporters who have parked their trucks. Over 600 Zambian trucks are packed.

 

Madam Speaker, this Government procures diesel from wherever we procure it, picks it from Bella in Dar-es-Salaam and brings it to Lusaka.

 

Madam Speaker, when the President came to this House, he emphasised that he is going to promote Zambian companies. However, Zambian truckers have packed over 600 tankers, and our fuel is being transported by Mozambican, Zimbabwean and Tanzanian truckers. If you go to Indeni Petroleum Refinery Company Limited in Ndola today, you will find that there are over a thousand trucks to transport fuel, but none of those trucks is Zambian-owned, yet the Ministry of Energy procured the fuel. Is the hon. Minister of Energy in order to remain quiet when many families are threatened with poverty because of the trucks not working, which means that drivers and mechanics are not working? Is the hon. Minister in order to remain quiet and allow foreign companies to ferry our fuel, thereby creating jobs in other countries while our trucks are parked? 

 

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

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I direct this point of order to the hon. Minister of Energy, who should come to this House next week on Thursday to issue a statement on the same.

  

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QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER

 

OPERATIONALISATION OF CHIKANKATA POLICE STATION

 

51. Mrs Sabao (Chikankata) asked the Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security:

 

1. when the newly constructed police station in Chikankata District will become operational; and
2. when the staff houses at the police station will be occupied.

 

 The Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security (Mr Mwiimbu): Madam Speaker, before I proceed to answer the question asked by the hon. Member for Chikankata, allow me to congratulate the gallant son of Zambia, Patson Daka, who, yesterday, made us, Zambians, proud by scoring four quick goals against Spartak Moscow Football Club.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, yesterday, I saw the happiness in the Leicester City Football Club camp. The wailing that I have witnessed today on the part of the Patriotic Front (PF) reminds me of the misery and tears I saw rolling down the cheeks of Spartak Moscow Football Club fans.

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I inform the House that the construction of Chikankata Police Station is at 85 per cent. The works are expected to be completed by 31^st December, 2021. However, the station is expected to be operational only upon completion of all the remaining works in the first quarter of 2022.

 

Madam Speaker, the houses will be occupied in the first quarter of 2022, when the police station is operational.

 

 I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Sampa (Matero): Madam Speaker, it is good to note that, finally, we have realised that soccer is not trivial. When Zambia scores and wins, we are all happy. May Zambia not lose because when it does, then, we will blame the Government.

 

Madam Speaker, Chikankata Police Station is at 80 per cent. Could the hon. Minister confirm that when it is at 100 per cent, the staff there will be able to mount road blocks? I ask this question because without them, there is no harmony. The police needs to ensure that motorists are well behaved.

 

 Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, police stations are not constructed in order to mount road blocks, which deal with traffic issues that are regulated by law. There are officers who are supposed to monitor traffic flows on the roads through the established procedures.

 

 I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mrs Sabao: Madam Speaker, what measures is the Government taking to protect the infrastructure from further vandalism and degeneration? I ask this question because there has been vandalism at the facility.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, the remedial measure we have put in place is to allow a limited number of police officers to operate from the infrastructure before it is operationalised.

 

 I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mung’andu (Chama South): Madam Speaker, Chikankata Police Station, a wonderful piece of work that was 90 per cent constructed by the Patriotic Front (PF) Government, is not only facing the challenge of not having been completed on time and vandalised; climate change has also had an effect on it. I spend most of my weekends in the area. So, I know that the police station was constructed on just open land because of deforestation. Is the Government considering planting wonderful trees around the police station so that it is protected from external weather, and to add beauty to it for people to appreciate that the PF Government meant business when it said it would not leave anyone behind? The PF has left a beautiful police station in Chikankata.

 

Hon. PF Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: The principal question is about the police station becoming operational, not about the trees and flowers.  However, if the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security has an answer to the question, he can go ahead and respond.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I do not intend to indulge in answering questions that are flawed.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Lusambo (Kabushi): Madam Speaker, I congratulate the Hon. Mwiimbu on being appointed Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security.

 

 Hon. Government Members: Where were you?

 

 Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

 Mr Lusambo: Madam Speaker, just like in any other province and district where the Patriotic Front (PF) built police stations, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether the police station in Chikankata will have cells for juveniles? I ask this question because President Edgar Chagwa Lungu’s Administration wanted to build police stations that would accommodate all offenders, and with ablution blocks and good showers for suspects who would be held there, especially in Chikankata. Have all those facilities been incorporated into the police station for the good use of the good people of Chikankata?

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, the police station is very modern, and it will have all the facilities the hon. Member has indicated. It also has an office where members of the public will report cases involving gender-based violence (GBV), abuse and those alleging that their children are not being supported. 

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Laughter

 

Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Mr Kapyanga (Mpika Central): Madam Speaker, I congratulate Hon. Mwiimbu on being appointed Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security. I also remind him that those who are reminding him of his duty to the Zambian people are not wailing; they are reminding him because they are patriotic Zambians who respect, and have sworn allegiance to, the President, who has repeatedly condemned political violence and actually taken a stance against it.

 

Madam Speaker First Deputy Speaker: Order!

 

Hon. Member, can you, please, ask your question.

 

Mr Kapyanga’s link got disconnected.

 

Madam Speaker First Deputy Speaker: We will come back to him.

 

Mr Elias M. Musonda (Chimbamilonga): Madam Speaker, there are a number of police stations and staff houses that have equally stalled across the country. Is the hon. Minister considering updating this honourable House on the status and the envisaged commissioning dates for the various police stations?

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, at an appropriate time, and with your permission, we shall come to the House to update the nation on the uncompleted infrastructure under the Ministry of Home Affairs and Internal Security.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Kapyanga: Madam Speaker, may it please the hon. Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security to state before the House how long it will take to deploy police officers to Chikankata Police Station after its completion.

 

Mr Mwiimbu: Madam Speaker, I did indicate that the police station will be fully operational before the end of the first quarter of 2022. The first quarter runs from January to April.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

RESUMPTION OF CONSTRUCTION OF KANCHIBIYA ACROW BRIDGES

 

52. Mr Chanda (Kanchibiya) asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

 

1. when the construction of the following Acrow Bridges in Kanchibiya Parliamentary Constituency will resume:

 

1. Aluni; and
2. Kaonda; and

 

b. what the cause of the delay in resuming the projects is.

 

The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi): Madam Speaker, the construction of the Acrow bridges on the Aluni and Kaonda crossing points in Kanchibiya Constituency will resume once funds for the Acrow Bridge Programme are secured.

 

Madam Speaker, the delay in resuming the project is due to financial constraints.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Chanda: Madam Speaker, the two Acrow bridges, which are located in Chief Kopa and Chief Luchembe’s chiefdoms, respectively, pose a great threat to human life. We have lost so many lives, especially of children, during the rainy season that other children can longer go to school, expectant mothers can longer access medical services and farmers cannot take their produce to the market places.

 

Madam Speaker, the people of Kanchibiya, especially those in the chiefdoms of Kopa and Luchembe, look up to the new Administration and the hon. Minister’s leadership in the ministry to make a difference. The projects have stalled for many years. So, his intervention and prioritisation of them will go a long way in protecting lives and taking development closer to the people of Kanchibiya. So, what guarantee does the hon. Minister give to the people of Kanchibiya that once resources are available, in terms of prioritisation, the bridges are going to be attended to with a sense of urgency?

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for Kanchibiya for this well-structured question that recognises that the New Dawn Government can make a difference. The reason he has structured his questions like that is that the projects on Acrow Bridges were signed in 2013, and that was a long time ago. So, the previous Government, whatever difficulties it had, probably did not recognise the urgency of the projects, and this fact has been exposed by the hon. Member for Kanchibiya.

 

Madam Speaker, let me assure the hon. Member that as soon as funds are made available, certainly in the new year, work on the two bridges will start and will be completed. For his further information, the contract on the bridges, especially the one on the Aluni Crossing Point, was awarded to Gilgal GC Logistics in the second quarter of 2021 and the contractor has already taken possession of the site. However, works are yet to commence because payments have not been made. The contract sum is K12.7 million, but the contractor is waiting for an advance payment of only K1.2 million before staring start the work. So, I can assure the hon. Member that for that sort of sum, we will do what we can to release the money so that the contractor can begin work on the Aluni Crossing Point.

 

Madam Speaker, with respect to the Kaonda Crossing Point, the contract to construct the Acrow bridge was awarded to Frog Enterprises Limited in the second quarter of 2021. That particular contract awaits Treasury authority before it can be signed and declared ready for execution. We will follow up the matter so that the project can also begin.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mung’andu: Madam Speaker, the people of Kanchibiya are very lucky to have accessed the so-called Acrow bridges. I made a follow up, and I seek clarification from the hon. Minister: I was told that the Acrow bridges are a contractual agreement between the Government of Republic of Zambia and the American Government. I do not know if it is the American Government or a company. There are many bridges that were identified. As to how they were distributed, when I made a follow up, I was told there is nothing I can do because the Americans designed the bridges for specific points, which they visited. I am seeking clarification because the people of Chama and many other areas are in worse off situations than those in Kanchibiya.

 

Madam Speaker, is the hon. Minister in a position to increase the crossing points in Kanchibiya and consider other districts that were left out completely? Further, can he confirm whether the Acrow Bridges are stock-piled on Mumbwa Road at the Road Development Agency (RDA) storage facility and can only be accessed if the Americans say ‘Yes’ after an assessment?

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Minister, you can answer one question.

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, we have to be careful when we ask questions. There is a need for bridges to be constructed in Chama South, but it should not be at the expense of bridges being built in Kanchibiya.

 

Madam Speaker, the programme, indeed, was put in place in 2013 at a total value of US$73,776,849 and was financed through a credit agreement entered between the Ministry of Finance and National Planning, Export Import (EXIM) Bank of the United States of America (USA) and Citi Bank. Our Government was expected to provide resources for the construction of the sub-structures, the basis upon which the bridges rest, and the installation of the bridges. The bridges are prefabricated, but they still require the base, which the Government was supposed to build as well as providing the wherewithal for their installation. 

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member for Chama South may wish to note that the number of bridges involved in the contract was 144, but upon further assessment, certain bridges were joined and other things were done to the bridges, leaving the number of the bridges at 131 for the country. Further, the bridges were allocated to only seven provinces, with Central Province getting seven, the Eastern Province getting twenty, Luapula Province getting twenty-one, Lusaka Province getting six, Muchinga Province getting fifteen, the North-Western Province getting thirty-three and the Northern Province getting twenty-nine. The three provinces were left out were the Copperbelt, Western and Southern provinces.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Lubozha (Chifubu): Madam Speaker, considering that the people of Kanchibiya desperately need the bridges, as they have school-going children who could have been crossing the streams or rivers on the bridges were they are built who are currently – (inaudible) and may even lead to a loss of life. So, when the hon. Minister clearly indicates that the bridges will be built when money is found, it becomes a source of concern because the United Party for National Development (UPND) is always a caring Government. As a caring Government, is it not considering bringing on board private partners to assist the people of Kanchibiya to work on some of the bridges so that service can be rendered?

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, the answer to the question asked by the hon. Member for Bwana Mkubwa is ‘No’. We are not considering bringing people on board. The project is solely under the Road Development Agency (RDA), which is only required to construct the bases, and provide labour and materials to put together the prefabricated bridges.

 

Madam Speaker, I understand the need for children to cross, especially in the wet season, but the project has been outstanding for a long time. So, we really have to wait until money is made available. The point that we keep stressing is that the Budget for 2021 is exhausted. In fact, it is more than exhausted. As I said, maybe, two days ago, concerning work on roads, we owe contractors, engineers and consultants K14 billion. We have to start dismantling the amount by paying even a little. As I have said, in the case of Kanchibiya, K1.2 million is needed, which we should be able to pay so that the contractor can go and get started with the work. So, there is no need to bring somebody in. Were we able to pay the K1.2 million, the contractor would begin work on one of the bridges. The other bridge, as I said, is awaiting Treasury authority.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Chanda: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for his good heart. That said, does he have any plan to take a familiarisation tour of Muchinga Province, especially of the new districts like Kanchibiya and Lavushimanda, in order to appreciate the extent of the infrastructural deficit and realise, when the ministry starts allocating resources, that there is value in allocating some to those districts?

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, the New Dawn Government is not only caring towards the people of this country, but is also a working Government. Certainly, as the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Urban Development, it is my intention to visit as many sites as possible where there is a need for infrastructure development. My intention is to, very shortly, go through the Eastern Province in Lundazi, where there is a problem; go through the Lundazi/Chama Road on which, again, there are problems; and from Chama, proceed to Muchinga and see what problems are there so that we can begin to address some of them. That is our intention.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Kamondo (Mufumbwe): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for giving good answers. For example, he has just updated the House that the bridges are doted countrywide. Is he able to give to this House a schedule of the contractors who are going to construct the bridges countrywide at any time? 

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I do not have to come back later because I have the information. The schedule is as follows

 

Province                           Lot                        Bridges                                 Contractor

 

Eastern                             1                              10                            Sunshare Construction Limited

Luapula                            1                              7                              Shachitari Contractors Limited

                                         3                              5                              Nakangea Construction Limited

                                         2                              2                              JAMCHO Trading Limited

 

Muchinga                         1                              5                              Buildcon Investments Limited

                                         5                              2                              Gilgal G. C. Logistics Limited

                                          3                              4                              Vibrant Construction and General Supply Limited

 

Central                             1                              5                              MNS Global World Limited

 

Northern                           4                              2                              FEDPA Limited

                                         5                              1                              Lwenshi Limited

                                          7                              2                              Jeetech Alu Enterprise Limited

                                          9                              3                              Paumwaka Agencies

                                           1                              8                              Claycrete Zambia Limited

 

North Western                  13B                         1                              Lwenshi Limited

                                           12A                         2                              Muco Trading

                                            14                            2                              FEDPA Limited

 

Lusaka                             2                              2                              GM Enterprises Limited           

 

Madam Speaker, as hon. Ministers, we do come to this House prepared.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mubika (Shangombo): Madam Speaker, where I am here, I am shedding tears because the former Government of the Patriotic Front (PF), which lost the last elections, segregated the Southern Province, the Western Province, where I come from, and Copperbelt Province. What plans does the hon. Minister have to ensure that the people of the Western, Southern and Copperbelt provinces, who also need the Acrow Bridges, are considered? Are there any measures that have been put in place to ensure that those of us who were segregated by the PF are considered in this new Government?

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I cannot, as a Minister in the New Dawn Government, vouch for the thinking processes that resulted into the allocation of the bridges. Unfortunately, with respect to these 131 bridges, they were manufactured on the basis of measurements taken at specific crossing points. For example, we cannot move a bridge from Aluni to another crossing point because the measurements will not fit. However, the pattern of leaving out certain provinces seems to surface time after time. Not long ago, I reported to this House on the improved rural connectivity; the gravel roads funded by the World Bank. Again, the same provinces were left out. Fortunately, over that project, we have control. So, we decided to include the ones that had been left out, and my ministry is making sure that they are included. So, where we are able to redistribute in an effort to achieve equity, we will do that.

 

Madam Speaker, in the case of the Acrow Bridges, because they were customised for specific crossing points, even using our own resources when they are available, we will have to look at procuring similar numbers for the provinces that were left out. I cannot, in good conscience, support a situation in which certain provinces are left out in developmental efforts. We have to move as one country. We keep talking about equity and reuniting this country, but we can only reunite citizens who feel that they are being catered for in terms of the utilisation of public resources.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Musumali (Zambezi West): Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for his good answers. I feel that he is the right peg for this ministry.

 

Madam Speaker, I really pity the people of Kanchibiya because they are in the same precarious situation as the people of Zambezi West Constituency. As a matter of fact, earlier today, I took a tour of the Road Development Agency (RDA) Warehouse on Mumbwa Road. My interest was to get first-hand information on the Acrow Bridges, and I found out that they will benefit many people, including my hon. Colleague, the Member for Kanchibiya, as well as the people of Zambezi West Constituency.

 

Madam Speaker, what I have gathered on the ground is that the prefabricated bridges from America are just waiting for the release of funds from the Central Government. In the case of Zambezi West Constituency, the contracts were signed and, according to the Action-Taken Report on Government Assurances, the tender was awarded to Muco Trading Limited at a cost of K10,158,922. If the funds are not released in time, as the situation has been since 2018, during which period there has not been any release of the funds, yet the equipment is already on site, will the hon. Minister allow us to use the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) that will be allocated by our New Dawn Government on the projects and then, maybe later, claim the money from the National Treasury?

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I do understand the need for bridges in the hon. Member’s constituency, many parts of which are waterlogged.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Member for Zambezi West and, indeed, any other hon. Member is free to use some of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) on projects like this because, after all, it would lead to development in the constituency. I do advise, though, that, currently, there is no mechanism in the Government for seeking refunds from the Central Government for CDF money used on a particular project. So, I advise the hon. Member to engage us, because I see that the amount owed to Muco Trading Limited that pertains to his constituency is only K10,158,922. Perhaps, like the situation I mentioned with respect to Aluni Crossing Point in Kanchibiya, a small amount can be made available for the contractor to move on site and begin to do the work whilst awaiting the full payment next year.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Chitotela (Pambashe): Madam Speaker, I listened to the answer by the hon. Minister in relation to the purported exclusion of the Western Province. I think that, maybe, my successor was not briefed on the information that the Western Province, today, has ninety Acrow Bridges that were removed from the Mongu/Kalabo Road when the Road Development Agency (RDA) finished constructing that bridge. Can the hon. Minister confirm that as things stand, the Western Province has the highest number of Acrow Bridges.

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member of Parliament for Pambashe, who was in this job and left out many provinces from projects, ought to be careful how he raises certain questions.

 

Madam Speaker, there was no Acrow Bridge designed for the Mongu/Kalabo Road. I have talked about the value of the project that I am explaining here; about how many bridges were procured and how much they cost. So, if the hon. Member is interested in showing that there was equity in his Government, he should explain to us why the Southern Province was left out? Were there other Acrow Bridges in that province? The answer is ‘No’. So, let us recognise problems where they were and address them.

 

Mr Lusambo: We can explain.

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, the Bulldozer must learn to keep quiet so that we move forward.

 

Madam Speaker, let us address some of these problems. The need to reunite this country is great.

 

Mr Chilangwa: Yes, but you are not doing that.

 

Interruptions

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I am speaking about a specific project from which three provinces were left out, including the Copperbelt, by the way. That is why I am saying there must always be equity, and that is how we are going to move forward in this New Dawn Administration.

 

I thank you, Madam.

 

Mr Lusambo: Madam Speaker, Kanchibiya is a very productive constituency, and its  people need the bridges immediately. I want the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development, who is here to just politick, to give the people of Kanchibiya a specific timeframe in which they will have the bridges, and when the Government is going to source the funds.

 

Eng. Milupi: Madam Speaker, I read somewhere that the hon. Member for Kabushi is a doctor. So, I expect him to pay attention when we deliver statements in simple language in this House.

 

Laughter

 

Eng. Milupi: I think the hon. Member for Kanchibiya has paid attention to what I said and that he is satisfied by the way I have answered.

 

Madam Speaker, there is K1.2 million that we are going to release so that work can begin at Aluni. The other bridge requires Treasury authority. So, I do not know what the hon. Doctor is concerned about with respect to Kanchibiya Constituency.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

COMPLETION OF KABWE MAIN BUS STATION

 

53. Ms Halwiindi (Kabwe Central) asked the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development:

 

1. when the construction of Kabwe Main Bus Station in Kabwe District will be completed;
2. what the cause of the delay in completing the project is;
3. what the cost of the outstanding works is; and
4.  what the timeframe for the completion of the outstanding works is.

 

The Minister of Health (Mrs Masebo) (on behalf of The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development (Mr Nkombo)): Madam Speaker, I inform this august House that the construction of Kabwe Main Bus Station in Kabwe District will be completed approximately twelve months from the date of the renewal of the contract, subject to the availability of funds.

 

Madam Speaker, the delay in completing the project is attributed to inadequate funding, which led to the contract expiring. The contract is currently pending renewal.

 

Madam Speaker, the cost of the outstanding works is estimated at K10 million.

 

Madam Speaker, the timeframe for completion of outstanding works is twelve months after renewal of the contract.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Ms Halwiindi: Madam Speaker, I am a bit worried about the time it will take to complete the bus station because it is being vandalised. Iron sheets and metal bars have been stolen. Further, because iron sheets are being stolen, the remaining ones are not well anchored, meaning the bus station has become a disaster in waiting, especially since there are many school-going children who pass around the area and we are nearing the rainy season. Due to vigorous winds, we may have a disaster if iron sheets start flying around. Secondly, the incomplete structure has become a place for many criminals to hide, which poses a danger to school-going children, especially the girls, and women because criminals can, at any time, pounce on them. I would like the hon. Minister to indicate the measures being put in place to ensure that the structure is guarded against vandalism and being turned into a hiding place for criminals, especially at night.

 

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, the additional information given by the ministry indicates that the contractor is Stalwart Investment Limited and that the contract sum was K21,997,766 while the commencement date for the contract was 1^st September, 2017. According to the contract, construction should have ended on 1^st September, 2018. The amount that has already been paid is K10,409,015, and the progress report indicates that the project is at 50 per cent. We are at the end of 2021, going into 2022, and when I consider that, my advice is that the hon. Member of Parliament considers using part of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to complete the project so that the project does not get wasted. All she needs to do is get clearance from the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development. The project is important and, since we are one Government, even the resources are from one source, at the end of the day. Maybe, she should get to the Ministry to see how that can be done.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Fube (Chilubi): Madam Speaker, I decipher from the hon. Minister’s answer that the main reason the bus station that serves six provinces, namely the Copperbelt, Central, the North-Western, Muchinga and Northern provinces, stalled is a lack of funding. Currently, the bus station that the named provinces are using is Premas, which is not even a bus station, but just a tarmac on the roadside. Further, the hon. Minister has said the K1.6 million from the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) can be contributed towards an already running contract that costs about K21 million, and that the project will be resumed about one year after the renewal of the contract. When will the contract be renewed? Further, will the Government use the same contractor?

 

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, from my earlier answer, it is clear that the contractor might not be at fault, because he was only paid half of the money and the project is at 50 per cent. So, it is clear that the reason for non-completion have to do with resources that have not been released from the Ministry of Finance and National Planning.

 

Madam Speaker, having listened to what the hon. Member for Kabwe said regarding vandalism and other things that are happening, and since I am aware that all hon. Members have money that has been released as CDF for ongoing projects and, maybe, for new ones, I said that the hon. Member may wish to consider, in the meantime, getting authority from the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development to spend part of that money on completing the project. Even if the bus station serves many provinces, its owner will still be Kabwe District, not the other provinces. It is Kabwe that will get resources from the bus station. That is one way to look at the issue. The other way is that the Budget will be presented next week on Friday, and I am sure there will be money for projects in it. That is another source of funding the Ministry can use to complete the construction of the project.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mwila (Mufulira): Madam Speaker, the vandalism that we heard in connection with the bus stop now that works have stalled is a problem for many projects that have stalled across the country. It does not affect bus stations, but also markets, hospitals, schools and clinics whose works have been stopped or suspended in some way. The effect is that if a project is at 80 per cent, by the time the funds are sourced, it might have been vandalised back to 60 per cent or 50 per cent. What measures, in the meantime, are being put in place to protect the works that have already been done so that once the funds are found, we will not find the properties vandalised, and we will be able to continue from where the last works ended instead of being drawn backwards?

 

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development is responsible for implementing the Decentralisation Policy, in general, and the local authorities, in particular, and Kabwe Municipal Council is a local authority under the ministry. So, one would expect that if there is vandalism, the hon. Member does not need to come here and ask the hon. Minister, who is in Lusaka, what the ministry is doing to ensure that the facility is not vandalised. That facility, although it might be funded by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, belongs to Kabwe Municipal Council, not the ministry. So, the council must take steps to protect the infrastructure, and the police is present in every city and town. The council must get support in protecting the facility. The council also has a police unit whose officers must be used to protect the facility.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Ms Halwiindi: Madam Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for her advice. However, Kabwe Central Constituency has fourteen wards, and we believe that this is a capital project. For us to divert money meant for some wards to one capital project will be unfair to other people who are crying for clinics and water. For the hon. Minister’s information, there is other infrastructure, as I have said, like schools and clinics, that has also stalled and which we want to finish in accordance with the Local Government Act. So, I still appeal that the project be funded by the ministry rather than we diverting the little K1.6 million Constituency Development Fund (CDF) money that we have. The hon. Minister informed us that we need K10 million to complete the project, meaning that it will take a number of years for us to complete the project, looking at the allocation we received, and not knowing what we are yet to receive next year. So, I must say that it will do no good for the constituency to put the little money it has into the bus stop as opposed to putting it into other infrastructural that have stalled, such as clinics; provision of water, which the people need; schools; toilets that we are yet to complete; roads that we need to work on; and drainage works. Come the rainy season, most roads in Kabwe Central Constituency will be impassable. So, I ask the hon. Minister to reconsider her position.

 

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, in many ways, I agree with the hon. Member of Parliament. Looking at the amount of money involved, the project is, indeed, a capital one that would require support from the Central Government. Having said that, I still want to go back to the response that the ministry gave; that it is committed to ensuring that the project, like many other incomplete projects across the country, is completed using a budgetary allocation. However, as to whether the coming Budget will have that allocation, we will be able to confirm on Friday once the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning gives us the figures for the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Mwambazi (Bwana Mkubwa): Madam Speaker, the ministry embarked on many developmental projects across the country, which are at various percentages; some are at 50 per cent, 60 per cent and 70 per cent, and we have seen a lot of vandalism of those projects in which the Government is losing money. People are pulling out iron bars and taking them to scrap metal dealers. I want to know what measures the ministry has taken to ensure that the money from the people of Zambia that was put in the projects is safeguarded. Otherwise, by the time the Government wants to complete the projects, it would have lost colossal sums of money.

 

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, let me use this opportunity as the Acting Minister of Local Government and Rural Development to make an earnest appeal to all the local councils across the country to take note of all the projects under the ministry, which are mainly market and bus station structures or houses that could have been in the last Budget. It is their responsibility because they are part of the ministry as statuary bodies. So, I direct them to take charge of the infrastructure and safeguard it. They can work with the local police, if they do not have police units of their own, to protect that which is theirs, although it is being constructed by the ministry. Using this forum, I instruct all Council Secretaries and Town Clerks countrywide to take charge of, and protect the infrastructure as we wait to see what will come out of the Budget because there is money for infrastructure in it. Let us wait to see how far we can go in completing the infrastructure with the allocation in the 2022 Budget. I do not believe the Budget can complete all the infrastructure, but I know that there is a good amount there, which will help to complete some of the stalled projects.

 

Madam Speaker, we all know what the President said on the Floor of this House; it is not a secret that he talked about decentralisation and more money going to the local authorities. What the hon. Members are saying is precisely the reason the President is pushing for decentralisation. Can you imagine somebody in Shangombo waiting for the hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, who is seated here in Lusaka, on Cairo Road, to go and protect the infrastructure there from vandalism that is being committed by the hon. Members’ brothers or sisters who are right next door to the hon. Members. It cannot work if we expect the Government, from the centre, to protect the infrastructure in our constituencies. That is why all sector ministries must be quick to begin giving power and resources to the councils so that the councils can plan, build and supervise infrastructure. At the centre, our role should be to give policy guidance.

 

Madam Speaker, using this forum, I have heard that there are structures countrywide that were started and that some are at 10 per cent, 30 per cent or 90 per cent. The ministry, working with respective councils, must finish most of the projects, especially those that are almost at 50 per cent or above, because the loss of the infrastructure does not affect only the hon. Members of Parliament who are complaining, but the entire Government. So, let us work together to protect the property and complete the works.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.

 

Mr Lusambo: Madam Speaker, having followed the cry from the hon. Member of Parliament for Kabwe Central and the answers from the Acting hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, who was once Minister of Local Government and Housing in the Mwanawasa Government and, therefore, knows very well how local government operate, I am worried.

 

Madam Speaker, I want the hon. Minister to assure the people of Kabwe that the bus station will be completed, bearing in mind that it is the only bus station they will have. What is the Government doing to complete that infrastructure in Kabwe, which is almost complete?

 

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, let me repeat the answer given from the beginning by the ministry, which is that the important project will be completed and that the timeframe is twelve months, except there was the infamous phrase, “… subject to funds being available.” I have given other answers to the House, including to the effect that in the President did assure the House that more money and functions will go to the district councils coming Budget, and I know that one of the functions will be construction of houses, roads, water points, health posts and schools. The President also said that he would make sure that there was more money in the CDF accounts so that some projects are implemented by the councils, Members of Parliament and councillors to avoid the forward and backward arrangements in which the hon. Minister of Health in Lusaka builds a health post in Shangombo. We have to break away from that.

 

Madam Speaker, what we want now is that if the people in Shangombo think that a health post is important, they should build it from the money they will be given. So, the money that is being expected will be much more than what was given before. Of course, it might not be enough to complete everything that we want to do in the first year. However, I am sure that over time, when more capacity is built in the councils, the money that will be given will be even more. Even we, the hon. Members of Parliament, have to reach a stage where our CDF begins to build enough capacity to do those things. The Ministry of Health’s role will be to give hon. Members standard architectural plans of what a health post should look like, and other standards and policy guidelines, not to construct the structures. Hon. Members must also engage the contractors, and the President has guided that a contractor from Lusaka should not undertake construction works in Shangombo because there are builders in Shangombo, and the money must remain there. Yes, in the beginning, there will be mistakes, but that is how we will build local capacity.

 

 Madam Speaker, when a small road is being constructed, we do not want the hon. Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development to be inspecting it because his job will be to deal with big roads. Hon. Members of Parliament should begin to build capacity to build small roads in their districts, such as through the Food for Work Programme. So, women can be used to construct small roads and they can be paid in whatever form the community decides. I think that is what we are now pushing for; we are pushing for the devolution of power and functions which are now being performed by hon. Ministers to go to the districts, mayors, councillors, headmen and chiefs. That is what devolution of power is all about.

 

Madam Speaker, I know that we are used to having all the monies here in Lusaka and everything happening here, with hon. Ministers being all over the show. Instead of concentrating on policy, we are busy officiating at events, and that should not really be our job. That should be the job of the ward councillor. However, the situation we are coming from is such that it will take a bit of time for the new system to take root. Now, everybody wants to invite a Minister or the President to officiate at an event, in which case I do not know what time a Minister will have to do the real work of thinking, planning, setting the standards and guidelines, and supervising by way of monitoring and evaluation. When we see there is a weakness, that is when we should send somebody from Lusaka to Shangombo to assist in rectifying the situation. Surely, we cannot have a Member of Parliament come here to cry about the vandalism of windows of a health post in Shangombo. What should I do, as Minister of Health? Must I send somebody from Lusaka who would spend money to jump on a bus and go all the way there?

 

Madam Speaker, let us all have it on our minds that things are changing. There is now a new guy on the throne who understands these issues. Having lived with these issues, he wants us to move together. So, I appreciate the question asked by the hon. Member, and the simple answer to it, after I have gone around it, is simply that this Government is committed to completing that important project. However, this is a dialogue amongst us, and we must be real. Instead of me giving hon. Members short answers, I am giving them more answers and ideas so that we become more innovative. There are various financing mechanisms we can begin to consider, such as private sector investment, even for this kind of project. So, when a project is at 50 per cent and we run out of money, we can ask any businessman with money to complete the project and hold a 50 per cent stake in the facility. That is provided for in the Markets and Bus Stations Act. Such are the innovative ideas that the council can propose to the ministry. If the council finds somebody with money who can finish the project in six months, it can seek authority to proceed.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr J. Chibuye (Roan): Madam Speaker, my understanding is that every project that takes long or goes beyond the planned duration becomes expensive, and that is exactly what is happening with the bus station in Kabwe. I also believe that in every contract that is signed, there are clauses on the responsibilities of the client, the contractor and other stakeholders. I would like to know from the Acting hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development whether the contractor officially handed the project over to the Government. If not, why has the contractor abandoned the project, leaving it in the hands of vandals? I am of the idea that if the contractor has not handed over the project to the Government, it is his responsibility to take care of it until it is officially handed over to the Government.

 

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, I would not know those details, and I do not want to mislead the House. Suffice it for me to say that if the Government agrees to pay a contractor K21 million within a period of twelve months for him to complete the project, but only gives him 50 per cent of the amount and fails to give him the balance, in a way, we cannot really blame the contractor. Further, I think this is not time for playing the blame game; it is time to protect the Government property, which is for the people of Kabwe. Whilst we look at what the details are, the fact still remains that the Government has already spent the people’s money on the project, and we all have the obligation to protect that which the Government is spending money on.

 

Madam Speaker, indeed, the contractor should be approached, and that can be done by the council. As I have already said, the council in Kabwe is part of the Government. So, the council can dialogue with the contractor. The council can also dialogue with the police. The community can also take responsibility. If you are my neighbour and thieves break into my yard, surely, you are going to help me. So, if your children are vandalising a Government property, surely, you can help by stopping them from doing that. Another way would be to bring the matter to the attention of the Government, which is what the hon. Member has done, and I hope that the relevant departments of the Government, which are listening to this debate, can help to secure the property.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I will take the last three questions from the hon. Members for Mandevu, Chifubu and Kabwe Central.

 

Ms Halwiindi: Madam Speaker, the Acting hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development has really tried her best to answer our questions and give guidance. However – I am not concluding. I wish I was called last so that I could have concluded.

 

Madam Speaker, the people of Kabwe Central Constituency have heard. My aim of bringing to the attention of the Government the vandalism at the bus station in Kabwe is not to ask the Government to protect the bus station, but to remind the Government that there is a need to allocate some money, especially in the 2022 Budget, for the project to be completed. The bus station is of economic importance to the people of Kabwe Central Constituency because it is going to create employment, boost businesses around and increase the revenue collected by Kabwe Municipal Council.

 

Madam Speaker, we understand that the Government is overwhelmed by the many projects that have stalled throughout the country, maybe, because of the haphazard way of awarding contracts without proper allocation of funds in the previous Government. however, going forward, we cannot leave the infrastructure to be vandalised, and the people of Kabwe Central want it to be completed. I believe that the New Dawn Government will do something, especially given the fact that the people of Kabwe Central Constituency have spoken about it and brought the matter to the attention of the Government.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: That is actually not a question.

 

Mr Shakafuswa (Mandevu): Madam Speaker, I am at pains to understand the responses of the Acting hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development on the completion of this very important infrastructure for the people of Kabwe and Kabwe Municipal Council. I say so because a bus station is a cash cow for a municipality, meaning that –

 

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

 

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

 

Mr Miyutu: Madam Speaker, I wanted to raise a point of order, but it has lost value because the hon. Member who was on Floor has helped.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: Hon. Member for Mandevu, you may continue with your question.

 

Mr Shakafuswa: Madam Speaker, there is uncertainty surrounding the hon. Minister’s answers on the completion of the bus station. So, I request the hon. Minister to, perhaps, defer the answers on funding to when the Budget is out, as she will then be in a position to indicate when the project will be completed. For avoidance of doubt, I will go through the three answers she gave. Firstly, she did not say when the contract will be renewed; secondly, she advised the hon. Member to use the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), but the hon. Member was against that advice; and, thirdly, she said that she will only confirm when the project will be completed after the Budget is presented next week.

 

Madam Speaker, I want to get help on behalf of the people of Kabwe so that there is certainty on when the project will be completed. Is it possible for the hon. Minister to come back another day so that this question is answered fully?

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: We have spent more than ten minutes in which the hon. Minister has been answering the questions that are being asked. However, I will give the hon. Minister an opportunity to comment on this question.

 

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, the hon. Member is asking me to consider coming back to this House to answer this question much more clearly, maybe, after the Budget is out because, according to him, he is not satisfied with the way I have answered it. However, if the hon. Member was really here, not just in body, but also in spirit, and listened to my answer, he heard me underscored my answers. I said that I am not sure and that I will come back to this House with a specific answer, if there will be one, on the issue of the bus stop in Kabwe after the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning has presented the Budget. As you know, money is sometimes allocated in block form, and a certain amount of money can be meant for the completion of infrastructure, especially looking at the many infrastructures that the people were –

 

Madam Speaker, I learnt something from Her Honour the Vice-President when I travelled with her. She told me that in the past, people used to say, “There shall be …” like in the Bible when God said, “Let there be light”, and there was light. So, it is like in the previous Administration, people would just wake up and say, “Let there be …” a district, bus station or market without considering whether there was money for it.

 

PF Hon. Members: Question!

 

Mrs Masebo: We are now faced with a “Let there be” for which we have to budget, and the budget for it might be specific to Kabwe or as a block figure.

 

Madam Speaker, as I said, since there are many projects that were started, the money that will be allocated might not be sufficient to complete all of them. That is why the ministry said that it intends to complete the construction of the bus station in Kabwe, subject to the availability of money, meaning we have to wait for the Budget. So, I have already answered the hon. Member’s question.

 

Madam Speaker, I must commend the hon. Member for Kabwe Central for asking this question, and all the hon. Members who have asked questions because in asking questions, they are helping, and I have answered all the questions, even those that seemed repetitive like the one my younger brother has just asked. I said that I could not be specific because I have to wait for the Budget.

 

Mr Shakafuswa: You are not sure, be honest.

 

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, when I say I cannot be specific, it means that I am not sure. I have to wait for the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning to tell me, “Do not to worry because the bus station in Kabwe will be completed using this Budget”. So, the hon. Member is asking me to be honest when I have been honest. I said that I am not 100 per cent sure. When I am asked questions concerning the construction or completion of a clinic and I am sure, I have said, “It will be completed this year or next year”. In this regard, because of the number of projects under local government, there shall be –

 

Laughter

 

 Mrs Masebo: Yes, by God’s grace, and small as the money might be, we will start with some projects in Kabwe. However, I cannot make a promise because what I speak here becomes the Government’s position. So, I would not want hon. Members to say that I made a false statement, and that is why I said that Kabwe is on the line, but subject to the availability of funds when the hon. Minister of Finance and National Planning presents the Budget on Friday, next week. My hope and prayer is that the bus station in Kabwe is completed this year.

 

Madam Speaker, the point of renewal is simply to inform hon. Members that the contract has expired. One cannot renew a contract without money. So, let us see what the Budget says. Once the Budget is out on Friday, we can renew the contract, knowing that there is money and that the project will be completed within twelve months or, maybe, eight months. Once there is money, the project can be completed even in three months, but the completion period in the contract is twelve months. I hope I have answered the question.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Lubozha: Madam Speaker, I thank the Acting hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development for answering the questions to the expectations of all those who asked them.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister has assured us that the New Dawn Administration will complete the bus station as soon as money is made available, that is, when the Budget comes out. Is the Government going to engage the contractors who have been working on the projects, considering that they have not been serious in the manner they have handled the projects? For example, they have abandoned them to vandals and, in some cases, their lack of seriousness has resulted in projects stalling countrywide. Is the Government going to consider the same unscrupulous contractors who were engaged by the unfaithful immediate past regime?

 

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, if the contractor is at fault, we will not continue with him. However, if it is not the contractor who is at fault, then, we will continue with him. So, we will deal with every contractor according to his deeds, and the hon. Members of Parliament from Kabwe will help the ministry telling the Government if they think, for whatever reason, that these are not the right people. It is partly their job to help their Government.

 

 I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

STALLED REHABILITATION WORKS ON CHALABESA/KABINGA ROAD

 

54. Mr Chanda asked the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development:

 

(a)        why rehabilitation works on the Chalabesa/Kabinga Road in Kanchibiya District have stalled;

 

(b)        when the works will resume; and

 

(c)        whether the works will resume before the onset of the rainy season to avoid the Kabinga Chiefdom                     being   cut off from the rest of the district.

 

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, I inform this august House that works on the Chalabesa/Kabinga Road in Kanchibiya District have stalled due to financial challenges, which have resulted in delayed payments.

 

Madam Speaker, works are scheduled to resume as soon as funds for payments are made available.

 

Madam Speaker, the contractor has been instructed to attend to all critical points even as works have stalled to ensure access during the rainy season.

 

 I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Chanda: Madam Speaker, I thank the Acting hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development.

 

Madam Speaker, the hon. Minister will appreciate that the Kabinga Chiefdom is one of the least developed in Kanchibiya District and Muchinga Province, and that the people there depend on outskirt areas like Chalabesa for services like medical care. When expectant mothers go into labour and there are complications, they are moved from Kabinga to Chalabesa. So, they have to use the road in question. When cases are even more complicated, they are moved from the Chalabesa Mission Hospital to Michael Chilufya Sata Hospital in Mpika. So, if the road becomes impassable, we are going to sign a death warrant for our people.

 

Madam Speaker, I appeal to the Acting hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development to pay particular attention to the road. We have engaged the contractor and he has made it very clear that he has no capacity at the moment to deal with the bad patches on it. The road is critical and situation is dire, especially with the onset of the rainy season around the corner. So, I appeal to the ministry responsible to do whatever can be done to let the contractor get back on site. Not working on the 5 km stretch we are talking about is going to cut off an entire chiefdom from accessing key services like health and medical care.

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: I do not know whether the hon. Minister is supposed to comment on the appeal. If you can, hon. Minister, please, comment on the appeal made by the hon. Member for Kanchibiya.

 

 Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, the answer takes his concern into account. As I said, the ministry has instructed the contractor to ensure that, at least, the points that, if not worked on, would lead to the poor community being cut off are attended to even as works have stalled. This means that the Government appreciates what the hon. Member has talked about and understands that if the work is not done, the work done so far will be equal to nothing.

 

Madam Speaker, looking at the additional information from the ministry, I see that, in fact, the people on the ground are saying that 68 per cent of the works have been done. So, quite a substantial amount of work has been done. The road is 83 km, the contract sum was K88,267,870.42, the contractor is Tomorrow Investments Limited and the initial project duration was from 2018 to 2020, but was extended to December, 2021. I would like to believe that the extension takes into account the hon. Member’s query and the instructions given to the contractor that he looks at those points where the chiefdom will be cut off. Since the contract has been extended to December, 2021, I want to believe that the contractor will be on site to do the works. If the contractor has any other issues, he is advised to get in touch with the ministry.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

Mr Fube: Madam Speaker, my attention is drawn to the points referred. The Kabinga Road that we are talking about goes into the mouth of the Chambeshi River, and one of the tributaries of the river is crossed by one of the points, while the other two points are swampy. So, these are very critical points, and I am talking about a road that is used by heavy lorries because there is fish trading around that area.

 

Madam Speaker, given the fact that the contract is going to expire in December, 2021, and bearing in mind that possibly the money that we have been talking about, which might facilitate the renewal of the contract, could come with the 2022 Budget, is the Government considering adding more money to the project, especially since the prices for cement and many other factors have risen?

 

Madam Speaker: Order!

 

Business was suspended from 1640 hours until 1700 hours.

 

[MADAM FIRST DEPUTY SPEAKER in the Chair]

 

Madam First Deputy Speaker: When business was suspended, the House was considering Question No. 54 on the Order Paper, asked by the hon. Member for Kanchibiya, and the hon. Member for Chilubi had just finished asking a follow-up question. The Acting hon. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development can respond.

 

Mrs Masebo: Madam Speaker, I note that the hon. Member for Kanchibiya is not in the House. He is still drinking coffee but, for the sake of the people of Kanchibiya, I will repeat my answer, which is that the works are scheduled to resume as soon as funds are made available for payments. I also indicated that the contractor has been instructed to attend to all critical points even as works have stalled to ensure that there is access during the rainy season. I was asked how possible that would be, looking at the fact that the duration of the project has been extended to December, 2021, and that some of the critical points may need more time than that. My answer to that is simply that it may be possible. However, if the extension will not be sufficient, there will be a further extension until the works are completed.

 

I thank you, Madam Speaker.

 

______

 

MOTION

 

ADJOURNMENT

 

The Chief Whip and Acting Leader of Government Business (Mr Mulusa): Madam Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.

 

Question put and agreed to.

 

______

 

The House adjourned at 1705 hours until 0900 hours on Friday, 22^nd October, 2021.

 

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WRITTEN REPLY TO QUESTION

 

CONSTRUCTION OF MUFUMBWE SCIENCE LABORATORIES

 

55. Mr Kamondo asked the Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development:

 

1. when the construction of Mufumbwe Boarding Secondary School in Mufumbwe District will be completed;

 

1. what the cause of the delay in completing the project is;

 

1. what the cost of the outstanding works of the project is; and

 

1. what the timeframe for the completion of the project is.

 

The Minister of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (Eng. Milupi): Madam Speaker, the construction of Mufumbwe Boarding Secondary School in Mufumbwe District will be completed when funds are made available.

 

Madam Speaker, the delay in completing Mufumbwe Boarding Secondary School was due to financial constraints.

 

Madam Speaker, the cost for completing the outstanding works at Mufumbwe Boarding Secondary School will only be known after assessment of the remaining tasks, as the market value of goods and services have changed over time.

 

Madam Speaker, the timeframe for completion of the project will be determined after the assessment at (c) has been completed and funds secured for the project.

 

Madam Speaker, I thank you.