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Debates- Thursday, 27th September, 2012
DAILY PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES FOR THE SECOND SESSION OF THE ELEVENTH ASSEMBLY
Thursday, 27th September, 2012
The House met at 1430 hours
[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]
NATIONAL ANTHEM
PRAYER
________
ANNOUCEMENTS BY MR SPEAKER
SESSIONAL COMMITTES ─ MEMBERSHIP
Mr Speaker: Hon. Members I have one announcement to make which, in effect, is a continuation of yesterday’s announcements. In accordance to the provisions of Standing Order, number 131, the Standing Orders Committee has appointed the following hon. Members to serve on the various seasonal committees for the second session of the 11th National Assembly.
Committee on Agriculture (08)
Mr R. Muntanga, MP;
Mr B. Hamusonde, MP;
Ms S. Sayifwanda, MP;
Mr K. Chipungu, MP;
Mr K. M. Mutale, MP;
Mr M. J. B. Ng’onga, MP;
Mr P. Njeulu, MP; and
Mr H. S. Chansa, MP.
Committee on Education, Science and Technology (08)
Dr C. K. Kalila, MP;
Ms S. Sayifwanda, MP;
Mr M. M. B. Mwale, MP;
Mr B. Mutale, MP;
Mr D. Livune, MP;
Mr C. Miyanda, MP;
Mr O. Chisala, MP; and
Mr L. Chabala, MP.
Committee on Lands, Environment and Tourism (08)
Mr G. G. Nkombo, MP;
Mr R. P. Mtolo, MP;
Ms D. Siliya, MP;
Mr M. Mumba, MP;
Professor G. Lungwangwa, MP;
Mr M. Muteteka, MP;
Mr J. M. Kapyanga, MP; and
Mr H. Kunda, MP.
Committee on Youth and Sport (08)
Mr L. J. Ngoma, MP;
Mr H. Sililo, MP;
Ms V. Kalima, MP;
Mr R. Siamunene, MP;
Mr S. Chungu, MP;
Mr M. Muteteka, MP;
Mr B. M. M. Ntundu, MP; and
Mr D. Chingimbu, MP.
Committee on Information and Broadcasting Services (08)
Mr K. Pande, MP;
Mr M. Mumba, MP;
Mr R. C. Taundi, MP;
Mrs M. C. Mazoka, MP;
Mr H. Kunda, MP;
Mr S. Chungu, MP;
Mr M. Z. J. Katambo, MP; and
Mr E. K. Belemu, MP.
Committee on National Security and Foreign Affairs (08)
Lieutenant- General R. Shikapwasha, MP;
Ms S. Sayifwanda, MP;
Mr L. C. Bwalya, MP;
Mr M. J. B. Ngonga, MP;
Mr M. Simfukwe, MP;
Mr S. Katuka, MP;
Mr S. Sianga, MP; and
Mr A. Sichula, MP.
Committee on Health, Community Development and Social Welfare (08)
Brigadier-General Dr B. Chituwo, MP;
Mr C. Mweetwa, MP;
Mr O. Chisala, MP;
Mr M. Simfukwe, MP;
Ms D. Siliya, MP;
Mr C. Matafwali, MP;
Mr M. Habeezu, MP; and
Mr L. M. Mufalali, MP.
Committee on Legal Affairs, Governance, Human Rights, Gender Matters and Child Affairs (08)
Mr J. J. Mwiimbu, MP;
Ms C. Namugala, MP;
Mr M. A. Malama, MP;
Mr C. Miyutu, MP;
Mr M. Mumba, MP;
Dr L. M. Kaingu, MP;
Mr S. Mushanga, MP; and
Mr S. Chisanga, MP.
After the Public Accounts Committee has been approved by this House, any hon. Member who finds that they do not belong to any Committee should inform the Office of the Clerk accordingly.
Thank you, Sir.
________
QUESTIONS FOR ORAL ANSWER
CONSTRUCTION OF HOSPITAL IN NSAMA DISTRICT
36. Mr Chansa (Chimbamilonga) asked the Minister of Health when the Government would construct a district hospital in the newly created Nsama District considering that the nearest hospital is in Mporokoso which is 100km away.
The Deputy Minister of Health (Mr Mulenga): Mr Speaker, the Government policy is that every district should have a first level hospital. The Ministry of Health is currently, reviewing the plan for the construction of district hospitals, to take into consideration the newly-formed districts such as Nsama. The Ministry of Health shall advise on the proposed implementation plan as soon as it has been concluded.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa): Mr Speaker, the distance between Nsama and Mporokoso is 100 km. I would like to find out whether the ministry will provide an ambulance for the hospital to facilitate the transportation of referral cases.
The Minister of Health (Dr Kasonde): Mr Speaker, the hon. Member has raised a very interesting question. Our current arrangement is to provide an ambulance to every district hospital and we hope that by the end of the year we would have done this. In the event that we do not have a district hospital, however, we have to rely on the available district hospital, which will be provided with an ambulance.
I thank you, Sir.
FARMER INPUT SUPPORT PROGRAMME
37. Mr Milambo (Mwembeshi) asked the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock:
(i)whether the ministry had made any improvements to the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP);
(ii)if so, what the improvements were;
(iii)what the criteria for identifying beneficiaries were; and
(iv)how much money was spent on the FISP from 2011 to 2012, year by year.
The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (Mr Mwewa): Mr Speaker, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock has made some improvements to the FISP in a bid to improve its performance. The notable improvements to the FISP include:
(i)inclusion of three more major crops namely: sorghum, cotton and groundnuts to the programme, to make them five;
(ii)reconstitution of the camp and district agricultural committees to make them more responsive and transparent; and
(iii)the ministry is also working towards the implementation of the electronic voucher system in the distribution of agricultural inputs, starting with the 2013/2014 agricultural season.
Mr Speaker, each approved farmer will receive a full input pack in the 2012/2013 farming season which consists of 2X50kg bags of basal fertiliser, 2X50kg bags of top dressing fertiliser and 1X10kg pocket of maize seed. Additionally, a farmer can access one of the additional packs to grow the crop of their choice, from the additional crops of rice, sorghum, cotton or groundnuts.
Mr Speaker, the following are the criteria for identifying beneficiaries under the FISP:
Selection Criteria for Participating Co-operatives and other Farmer Organisations
Mr Speaker, qualifying co-operatives or farmer organisations should:
(a)be duly registered by the Registrar of Co-operative Societies or Registrar of Societies;
(b)have been active for at least one year after registration;
(c)have an executive committee and operate a bank account;
(d)have a track record of using agricultural inputs well and on farming activities;
(e)have written by-laws or a constitution for managing their funds and have appropriate accountability mechanisms;
(f)have no outstanding loans from the past seasons either from the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) or any other lending institution;
(g)have a proven track record or ability to distribute inputs to their members; and
(h)be allocated in a designated agricultural camp and be engaged in crop production.
Selection Criteria of Individual Farmer Beneficiaries
Mr Speaker, an individual beneficiary needs to be a member of a registered co-operative or farmer organisation. A farmer is selected by the Camp Agricultural Committee based on a recommendation from the co-operative or farmer organisation that he or she belongs to, as guided by the following criteria:
(a) be a small-scale farmer and actively involved in farming within the camp coverage area;
(b) have up to 5 hectares of land, but should have ability to cultivate up to 1 hectare;
(c) have the capacity to pay the prescribed amount of money for the pack (s) upfront;
(d) not currently benefiting from the Food Security Pack; and
(e) not be a defaulter from the FRA and/or any other agricultural credit programme, whether belonging to an eligible co-operative/ farmer organisation.
Mr Speaker, the money that was spent on the implementation of the FISP in the 2011 financial year is K890,123,734,658.56 while for the 2012 financial year up to September, 2012, a total of K423,663,221,482.20 has so far been spent.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Sing’ombe (Dundumwezi): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether the ministry would consider decentralising the issuance of co-operative certificates because it is very expensive to travel all the way to just to pay K10,000.
The Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (Mr Chenda): Mr Speaker, indeed, it is very expensive for people to travel to Lusaka to collect their certificates. In this regard, we are seriously considering providing these facilities at provincial levels.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Miyutu (Kalabo Central): Mr Speaker, it is well known that some places where farmers are have no camp officers. What is the Government doing to help the farmers in these areas?
Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, we are lucky that this year the Government has given us authority to recruit additional employees who will work as camp officers. However, in places where there are no camp officers, the adjacent camp officers will travel to facilitate our programmes.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Belemu (Mbabala): Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister said that there are some improvements at camp and district level. I would like to know what specific improvements have been made. Is it just the composition of individuals or is there some improvement in the actual system?
Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, we caused the elections to be held so that new office bearers could take office. In addition, we also included law enforcement agencies at district level such as the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) so that we could strengthen accountability.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Livune (Katombola): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out the Government’s policy on the FISP beneficiaries. For how long can people continue receiving this support?
Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, people should be weaned off within a period of two years. However, as things stand at the moment, this programme has continued to be available to those that have registered. We are, therefore, in the process of reviewing the process so that those that have benefited from this programme can be weaned off for new persons to benefit from this system.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Bwalya (Lupososhi): Mr Speaker, there are cartels involved in the distribution of inputs. I would like to know if there are any measures that have been taken to ensure that the actual beneficiaries actually get these inputs because we have seen that those that are able to buy their own inputs are the ones who normally benefit from this particular programme.
Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, this is the more reasons we are proposing to introduce the electronic voucher system to improve the targeting process of farmers.
In addition, we have also included law enforcement agencies such as the ACC and DEC whenever they are available, so as to ensure that the resource-poor persons benefit from this programme.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Habeenzu (Chikankata): Mr Speaker, may I find out from the hon. Minister whether the newly-registered co-operatives are going to access the fertiliser this year or next year.
Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, according to the conditions, co-operatives should have been in existence for, at least, one year for them to qualify for input support. So, we have difficulties giving inputs to newly-registered co-operatives.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Ng’onga: Mr Speaker, I note that cotton is among the crops that will benefit from the FISP this year, which is very commendable in increasing diversification. Are chemicals included in this pack as nobody can grow cotton successfully without the use of agricultural chemicals?
Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, chemicals are not included in the pack. Again, this is one of the strongest points of introducing the e-voucher system which will give a choice of inputs to be acquired by the farmer. These issues will be addressed as we introduce the e-voucher system.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Miyanda (Mapatizya): Mr Speaker, are civil servants such as teachers entitled to benefit from this same programme?
Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, I know that, in the past, civil servants benefited from this programme but, it is meant for the resource-poor persons. What all of us should be asking ourselves is whether it should be extended to people who are in gainful employment. As things stand now, for this year, we are excluding civil servants from this programme.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr L. Zimba (Kapiri-Mposhi): Mr Speaker, as earlier mentioned by the hon. Minister, crops such as cotton, groundnuts and sorghum have been included in the programme. May I find out how much has been allocated to the FISP for this additional crop.
Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, I do not have the exact amount that has been allocated, but I know that the total amount for the FISP is in the range of K865 billion.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Mbewe (Chadiza): Mr Speaker, last season, cotton-growing farmers did not make any profit. However, this year, the Government has included cotton in the FISP. May I find out whether the Government has any plans to cushion the losses which the farmers are likely to make.
Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, indeed, this year, for the cotton-growing farmers the situation was disastrous in the sense that cotton prices worldwide dropped. However, as a Government, we are trying to establish a price crop stabilisation fund which the Government will use to intervene should the prices drop drastically as the case was this year.
I thank you, Sir.
Professor Lungwangwa (Nalikwanda): Mr Speaker, rice is different from cotton, maize or groundnuts. Can the hon. Minister enlighten the nation on what the specific farming inputs are for growers of rice.
Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, that question is too technical for me to give an answer.
Interruptions
Mr Chenda: However, if the hon. Member of Parliament for Nalikwanda would like to know the details, I wish to advise him that the doors to our offices are wide open and we will be able to provide the answer.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mulomba (Magoye): Mr Speaker, according to the hon. Minister, civil servants are not supposed to get any fertiliser under this FISP. The other criterion is that for one to get fertiliser under this programme, he/she has to be a member of a certain co-operative. Is the hon. Minister saying that teachers are also not supposed to be members of co-operatives?
Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, it is my understanding that co-operatives are formed so as to undertake various agricultural and commercial activities and fertiliser supply happens to be one of them. So, teachers can be members of co-operatives and can also be involved in other activities.
I thank you, Sir.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Antonio (Kaoma Central): Mr Speaker, may I know when the Government is going to increase the number of fertiliser bags given to farmers from the previous four bags.
Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, as things stand, at the moment, the resource envelope is so small that we are only giving what is available. Obviously, as the economic situation improves, consideration will be given to increase the numbers.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Mtolo (Chipata Central): Mr Speaker, would the hon. Minister indicate why the Government is spending money in supporting the production of cotton which is already well taken care of by the private sector.
Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, the PF Manifesto talks of diversification from the mono crop syndrome of maize and cotton offers such a great opportunity to the farmers to diversify. It is a crop that should be encouraged to be grown in this country.
I thank you, Sir.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Ms Namugala (Mafinga): Mr Speaker, in his response, the hon. Minister referred to a price stabilisation fund. I would like to find out when this is likely to be implemented, which crops this fund will cover and if at all this is a mechanism that is going to be sustainable for the country.
Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, these are our thoughts for the future. Obviously, the resource envelope permitting, we would like to do as much as we can with this fund. We cannot tell what the future is going to hold. What happened with the cotton industry this year was disastrous for the farmers and, as a Government, we were at great pains to see our poor farmers suffer from this sudden drop of prices. So, we think that we should begin to make provisions in the Budget which will enable the Government to intervene when such unforeseen circumstances happen.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Namulambe (Mpongwe): Mr Speaker, three weeks or so ago, some international organisation or co-operating partners, were trying to advise the Government against subsidising agriculture. What is the Government’s position on that?
Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, the FISP is here to stay. Therefore, we would like to assure our farmers and hon. Members of Parliament here that that we will continue with this programme. However, we are trying to be smart in administering this programme so that it reaches the intended persons who are the resource-poor persons.
I thank you, Sir.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mwiimbu (Monze Central): Mr Speaker, we are all aware that the Government buys all the crops that are under the support of the FISP. Arising from the statement that has been made by the hon. Minister, considering the fact that the Government has now included cotton as one of the crops the Government will be assisting the farmers to grow, I would like to find out from him whether effective this coming season, the Government of the Republic of Zambia will be buying cotton from farmers at a good price.
Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, as things stand now, we have no intentions of buying cotton but, obviously, there are a lot of farmers who are growing cotton and are able to sell the cotton without the Government’s intervention. So is the case with other crops such as groundnuts and sorghum.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Hamudulu (Siavonga): Mr Speaker, my question has fallen out.
NYANGO OPEN PRISON
38. Mr Taundi (Mangango) asked the Minister of Home Affairs:
(a) what measures the Government had taken to control the movement of inmates at Nyango Open Prison in Mangango Parliamentary Constituency to ensure the safety of the local community; and
(b)when Nyango Open Prison would become a training centre for prison warders.
The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs (Mr Kampyongo): Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that in order to control the movement of inmates at Nyango Open Prison and ensure the safety of the local community, the Government has put the following measures in place:
(i)close monitoring of prisoners’ movements and their activities;
(ii) conducting frequent roll-calls as these ensure that prisoners are accounted for at all times. Roll-calls are conducted at 0600 hours, 1300 hours, 1800 hours and 2000 hours.
(iii) distributing work to all prisoners each morning. Labour-related work is meant not only to give prisoners a skill but also keeps them busy most of the time; and
(iv) escorting prisoners when they are assigned to perform duties outside the prison premises.
Sir, the Zambia Prisons Service has plans to turn Nyango Open Prison in Mangango Parliamentary Constituency into a training centre for prison wardens. The Projects Unit of the Zambia Prisons Service has already conducted an assessment and costing of the requirements needed to turn it into a training centre for prison wardens. A total of K 5,099,600,000 is required to turn the facility into a training centre. Depending on the availability of funds, it is anticipated that this project will begin in 2014.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Antonio: Mr Speaker, I would like to get a comment from the hon. Deputy Minister to the effect that the movements of inmates are necessitated by the poor supply of food to the Prisons Service.
Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, it is not true that the inmates are forced to wander about as a result of food shortages in prisons. Earlier, I mentioned that the prisoners are assigned certain duties which they perform outside the prison premises. That is why I also mentioned that every time they are given assignments outside the prison premises, they are escorted by prison warders.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Taundi: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that some inmates, sometimes, go as far as 17 km away without any form of escort and that others engage in criminal activities such as stealing and disturbing school-going children?
Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I appreciate the hon. Member’s follow up question, but he should be aware that prisoners do not just wander about without escort. We are aware that we have a shortfall of staff, but that does not mean we allow prisoners to move around without any escort. We know that doing so would result in them running away. So, we would not want to be that careless.
I thank you, sir.
Mr Chishiba (Kafulafuta): Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Deputy Minister whether there are any measures in place to ensure that the safety and security of a community is not compromised as the inmates are taken to open prisons.
Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, indeed, when prisoners are sent to different facilities, they are assessed based on good conduct on the part of prisoners and how they have progressed in terms of rehabilitation. So, that is what determines where they are taken.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, if I got the hon. Minister clearly, he said the measures to control the movement of prisoners are institutionally based, that is specific to the prison. What about the local community where the prisoners go and cause problems? Why are you, as a ministry, not involving the local community so that they can assist in this problem?
Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I think Professor Lungwangwa has proposed an idea which is worth taking into consideration. I promise that we will take it into consideration.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Habeenzu: Mr Speaker, if the hon. Minister has observed that there is a shortage of officers, why can the Government not train more officers other than depending on the locals who are not privy to the handling of prisoners?
Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, in my earlier response, I indicated that plans are underway to try and turn this prison into a training facility. This will also help us increase the number of trained prison warders who will even be sent to other prisons in the country.
I thank you, Sir.
Mrs Mazoka (Pemba): Mr Speaker, does the hon. Minister know that, sometimes, prisoners are escorted by the so-called trustees who are also prisoners and take advantage of this freedom to rape women?
Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I am not aware about that situation, but I can assure the hon. Member that we will take her concern into consideration and try and make sure that measures are put in place to correct the situation.
I thank you, Sir.{mospagebreak}
EXPORTING UNPROCESSED TIMBER
39. Mr Hamusonde (Nangoma) asked the Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection whether the Government allowed the export of unprocessed timber.
The Minister of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (Mr Simuusa): Mr Speaker …
Interruptions
Mr Speaker: The hon. Minister has indicated his predicament. You are aggravating it by drowning him.
Laughter
Mr Simuusa: Mr Speaker, the Government does not allow the export of unprocessed timber, but processed timber, which could be in the form of treated poles, planks, chips, veneers and pulp, just to mention, but a few. You may also wish to know that the word ‘timber’ commonly refers to trees in woodlands and plantations, which are a source of wood that is used as building materials, poles, firewood, ornate furniture, ship building and particle boards. So, these are the categories that we allow for export.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE
40. Mr V. Mwale (Chipangali) asked the Minister of Community Development, Mother and Child Health:
(a)what the maternal mortality rate was in Zambia, as of August, 2012;
(b)what measures the Government had taken to reduce the mortality rate; and
(c)whether the Government would attain Millennium Development Goal No. 5, which seeks to reduce the maternal mortality rate by 75 per cent by 2015,
The Vice-President (Dr Scott): Mr Speaker, the maternal mortality rate in Zambia, as of August, 2012, was 591 per 100,000 births, which is about 0.5 per cent, according to the Zambia Demographic Health Survey (ZDHS) of 2007. The ministry is using the 2007 statistics because it is still awaiting the findings from the ZDHS to be undertaken in 2012. The Government realised that Zambia had a high maternal mortality rate and launched the Campaign on Accelerated Reduction of Maternal Mortality in 2010. With this campaign, the ministry has embarked on high-impact interventions that work and can reduce the maternal mortality. The following are the measures taken:
(a)the repositioning of family planning. The ministry is training health workers in all districts in the provision of long-term family planning so that women are given the chance to plan their families. Family planning prevents deaths from unplanned and unwanted pregnancies as well as unsafe abortions. The ministry has trained community-based distributors to provide family planning services in hard-to-reach areas;
(b)focused antenatal care is being provided for women to be able to identify complications early in pregnancies and ensure quality care is provided in pregnancy. Health workers are being trained to provide this service to diagnose and treat complications early;
(c)ninety-five per cent of women who attend antenatal care have been counseled and tested for HIV. Early diagnosis of HIV significantly reduces the chances of maternal deaths;
(d)the Government has continued to train and deploy skilled health workers to attend to women in labour. This includes direct-entry midwives, who are trained for two years to focus on deliveries. Maternal mortality greatly reduces once we have more deliveries conducted by skilled workers in health facilities;
(e)the Government has continued to train health workers in the management of pregnancy-related complications. These health workers, who are also trained in emergency obstetric and new-born care are stationed at hospitals and some health centres. Once complications arise in the district, the women are referred to these health facilities. The Government has also bought equipment for health facilities in thirty-nine districts to help manage complications; and
(f)the Government has noted the need to work with the community in order to reduce maternal deaths. Therefore, community groups called safe motherhood action groups are being trained to sensitise the community and teach women and men the importance of identifying danger signs in pregnancy, booking early and delivery by a skilled health worker.
Sir, the re-alignment of the Department of Mother and Child Health from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health has increased the focus on mother and child health issues and integrated community involvement. The Government is hopeful that, with improved funding to mother and child health and coverage of the interventions mentioned above, Millennium Development Goal (MDG) No. 5 will be met. In specific numbers, the intention is for the rate of maternal deaths to drop to 162 or there about, out of 100,000 births, by 2015.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Mucheleka(Lubansenshi): Mr Speaker, the rate of 591 per 100,000 births is the national average. What is the break-down between urban and rural areas?
The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, if I can rephrase the question slightly, it would not be a new question. If we were to rephrase the question and look at the difference in the mortality rate in Government or private facilities, and in villages, the answer is that the maternal mortality rates are much lower in facilities, at only 164 per 100,000 births. In other words, it has already dropped to the MDG No.5 level. Where the mortality rates are high is outside of hospitals which, of course, tends to happen much more in the rural areas where there are no facilities or trained personnel. The rates in villages are higher than the 591 per 100,000 births that we are talking about. So, the key to this whole process of attaining MDG No.5 is promoting the use of facilities and making it possible for women to give birth under controlled circumstances.
I thank you, Sir.
Ms Namugala (Mafinga): Mr Speaker, one of the causes of maternal mortality is unsafe abortions. When will the Government bring the Termination of Pregnancy Act to the House so that women can have access to safe abortions?
The Vice-President: Mr Speaker, I am sorry to have to tell the hon. Member that I am not aware of any plans by the Government to bring that piece of legislation. However, I will make certain that she will be the first to know if anything changes.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Mulusa (Solwezi Central): Mr Speaker, an expectant mother was sent away from Solwezi District Hospital yesterday when she went to give birth because she did not have surgical gloves. She limped home and, with the assistance of neighbours, gave birth but, sadly, the child passed away. How does the Government expect to achieve that particular MDG if it cannot even provide gloves in hospitals?
Dr Scott: Mr Speaker, the case cited – and I assume it is accurately quoted – is most unfortunate and I will refer it to the relevant ministry. I am not sure whether it is the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health or both which will take that issue up.
I thank you, Sir.
Dr Kalila (Lukulu East): Mr Speaker, I did not quite clearly get the answer to part (b) of the question. The maternal mortality rate in Zambia, as of August, 2012, is at 591 per 100,000 according to the ZDHS of 2007 and it is expected to fall to 162 in three years, …
Mr Speaker: Order!
May the hon. Member for Lukulu East raise his voice because he is hardly audible.
You can continue, please.
Dr Kalila: Sir, what is the basis of your optimism that the figure will drop to 162 in three years? Is it as a result of some scientific data that has been received, which we would need to know?
Dr Scott: Sir, the answer to that question, which I thought was clear, was that the 591 per 100,000 is the ZDHS figure for 2007. We are now already five years after that and we are expecting a more updated figure this year, in fact, within the next month or two. This survey will give us information on HIV/AIDS and all sorts of other health statistics and we have three more years to work on realising MDG No. 5. So, we are optimistic. That is all I can say. We cannot promise that it is going to happen because success will be only realised subject to renewed vigour in the funding and other aspects of this programme.
Thank you, Sir.
Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, owing to the fact that the Government is slow in constructing health centres, why does it not facilitate the accelerated training of traditional birth attendants in the communities so that the mortality rate is lowered?
Dr Scott: Mr Speaker, my belief is that is exactly what is happening.
I thank you, Sir.
REHABILITATION OF ROADS IN KABOMPO TOWNSHIP
41. Mr Lufuma (Kabompo West) asked the Minister of Local Government and Housing when the Government would rehabilitate roads in Kabompo Township.
The Deputy Minister of Local Government and Housing (Mr Tembo): Mr Speaker, the Government is in the process of rehabilitating urban township roads countrywide, and Kabompo is no exception. Funds are being sourced and the main roads in Kabompo will be upgraded in the next year’s Annual Work Plan (AWP).
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Ntundu (Gwembe): Mr Speaker, yesterday I asked the hon. Minister of Local Government and Housing why the Government does not give money for feeder roads. Is the Government only interested in sourcing money for urban roads at the expense of feeder roads in rural roads? I would like to know if that is the policy of this Government now.
Mr Tembo: Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Member for raising a follow-up question. The Ministry of Local Government and Housing has the Department of Housing and Infrastructure Development (DHID), which is responsible for infrastructure development. This department also deals with the funding of feeder roads.
I thank you, Sir.
THE 2011/2012 MAIZE MARKETING SEASON
42. Mr Milambo asked the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock:
(a)how many tonnes of maize were earmarked for purchase by the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) during the 2011/2012 Marketing Season;
(b)what the total cost of the maize at (a) was; and
(c)what the time frame for payment of farmers after delivery of their maize to the FRA was.
The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (Mr Kazabu): Mr Speaker, in the 2011/2012 Crop Marketing Season, the FRA purchased 1,751,660 metric tonnes of maize and 1,077 metric tonnes of rice. During the 2012/2013 Season, the FRA intends to purchase 1,000,000 metric tonnes of maize and 2,100 metric tonnes of paddy rice.
Sir, the cost of buying the crops only for the 2012/2013 Season is K1.3 trillion. However, if logistical costs of the programme are included, the total cost goes up to approximately K1.7 trillion.
Mr Speaker, the timeframe for payment of farmers after delivery of their crops to the FRA is approximately thirty days. However, the FRA has had challenges mobilising additional resources with commercial banks this year due to the huge amounts of money involved in the borrowing exercise, which requires several stages of authority and documentation. Efforts are being made to ensure that farmers are paid within the planned time frame.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Milambo: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that the farmers who delivered maize to the FRA in August, 2012, are not yet paid?
Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, yes, I am actually aware and this is, indeed, a very sad development. However, we are doing everything possible to pay the farmers soonest. To this effect, we will commence paying the farmers during the course of next week.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Hamusonde: Mr Speaker, why has the Government failed to give enough empty grain bags this year?
Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, we are continuing to provide empty grain bags, but I must also admit that there were some administrative hiccups that caused the delay in delivering the bags to the farmers.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Habeenzu: Mr Speaker, if there is a budget and specified time for payment of farmers after delivery of their crops to the FRA, which is thirty days, why is the agency finding it difficult to pay the farmers on time?
Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, I have said that this Government is committed to the need to pay farmers soon. To this effect, we are doing everything possible to ensure that this is done.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, if I recall correctly, during the campaign for the presidential and general elections in 2011, the PF was saying that it would manage to pay the farmers within seven to fourteen days.
Hon. Government Members: No.
Mr Mbewe: Why is it taking more than thirty days to do so?
Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, the campaign period is over.
Laughter
Mr Speaker: Indeed.
Mr Chenda: I would like to assure the hon. Member of Parliament that the farmers will be paid soon.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out whether the Government has put in place any measures to ensure that the farmers who are not being paid their money in time are given an incentive in order for them to pay for the food security packs or the fertiliser since it is the Government which is holding their money.
Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, we have not made any such arrangements because, this time around, our commitment is to pay the farmers on time.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr L. Zimba: Mr Speaker, I am happy that the hon. Minister has mentioned that all the farmers will be paid within a week.
Hon. Government Members: Question!
Mr L. Zimba: Yes!
Laughter
Mr L. Zimba: Now, the question is …
Mr Speaker: Order!
Hon. Member for Kapiri-Mposhi, hold on for just a moment. I heard the hon. Minister say that they would begin the payment of farmers next week. To begin next week is different from saying that all the farmers would be paid in one week. Let us debate factually.
You may continue, please.
Mr L. Zimba: I thank you Mr Speaker. If the hon. Minister said that they would begin to pay the farmers next week, when are they going to complete the payment process to ensure that all farmers are paid on time?
Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, I said that we are committed to paying the farmers and complete the exercise as soon as possible.
I thank you, Sir.
Ms Namugala: Mr Speaker, K1.7 trillion is earmarked to pay farmers for one crop only. In view of the fact that this is a huge outlay of resources for supporting just one crop, I would like to find out whether this is as a result of the FRA drifting away from their original mandate of being buyer of the last resort.
Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, it is the wish of most hon. Members of Parliament and, especially those that come from the rural areas that the Government helps as much as possible to buy maize from the resource-poor farmers and the Government is doing just that. However, in addition, the Government is also encouraging the private sector to participate in the maize purchases and I am glad to say that, this year, the programme has gone on very well. A good and substantial quantity of maize has been bought by private players, which is something that we are encouraging.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Sing’ombe: Mr Speaker, according to the information based on the tour of Dundumwezi by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Hon. Kazabu, more than K3 billion worth of maize was destroyed this year. May I know whether the Government has taken measures to buy enough tarpaulins to ensure that maize is not wasted in this marketing season.
Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, additional tarpaulins have been bought, but on a larger picture, the Government has taken measures to ensure that adequate storage facilities are provided. In this regard, all the stocks that had accumulated over the last three seasons have been cleared. This means that we have cleared space for the new crop. So our challenge is to haul the maize from the satellite depots to the holding depots. That is what we are doing.
I thank you, Sir.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, as regards the shortage for package materials for maize in many of the depots, especially in Kazungula, can the hon. Minister confirm that it is a deliberate move to ensure that the Government does not buy all the maize from the farmers.
Mr Speaker: I think that is a rhetorical question in light of the repeated assurance from the hon. Minister of Agriculture and Livestock.
Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, over the years, we have seen that crop marketing, especially of maize, starts very late in the year. This raises panic among farmers causing them to fall prey to fraudsters who take advantage of the situation. Is there a deliberate policy intervention to ensure that we review the operations of the FRA?
Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, the delays in commencing the maize marketing process are, sometimes, as a result of situations which are completely beyond our control especially when it relates to moisture content. We must achieve a 12.5 per cent moisture content for us to begin to buy the maize and store it. This year, due to the continued rains, the requisite moisture content was not able to be achieved until about June. Therefore, the buying of the maize was delayed. However, as regards the operations of the FRA, there are plans to review the FRA Act in accordance with the PF manifesto to see how best the institution can be responsive to the changed circumstances.
I thank you, Sir.
Ms Lubezhi (Namwala): Mr Speaker, speaking on behalf of the commercial farmer in Muchila and going by what the hon. Minister has said about payments beginning next week, a practical situation is that if by the first week of October, the commercial farmer does not get the money, it will be late. In this light, will the hon. Minister not consider an incentive for the farmers if they are not paid on time?
Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, a similar question had been asked by Hon. Jack Mwiimbu and I said that we are not giving any incentives. Rather, we are committing ourselves to ensuring that the money is made available so that the choice of the use of the money is left to the farmers.
I thank you, Sir.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Ms Kalima (Kasenengwa): Mr Speaker, despite the assurance from the hon. Minister that the farmers would not be compelled to open up bank accounts, is he aware that when they deliver the maize, the farmers are forced to open accounts as is the case in Kasenengwa? All the farmers have been told that they would not be paid unless they opened bank accounts. What is the hon. Minister doing about it?
Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, I was not aware of such a situation obtaining in Kasenengwa. If that is the case, it is most unfortunate. We explained that the farmers had a choice to either open a bank account or be paid over the counter and that is the official policy. However, if the contrary is happening in Kasenengwa, we will correct the situation.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Chipungu (Rufunsa): Mr Speaker, the rains are around the corner and farmers are still spending nights at the depots waiting for the supply of empty bags. In the meantime, we are told that these would be bought later. Why can the Government not allow the farmers to sell their maize in their respective empty grain bags instead of waiting for the empty bags from the FRA which are not being delivered?
Mr Chenda: Mr Speaker, it is most regrettable that there was a problem of grain bags at the beginning of the maize purchasing season. However, we have taken measures to ensure that we continuously supply empty grain bags. We have not allowed the farmers to supply maize in their bags because we want to be more accountable this time. We experienced a lot of dishonesty in the previous season because maize was circulating within the depots using the bags that were brought by the farmers. This time, you will be able to distinguish which maize belongs to the farmer from the one that has been bought by the FRA. We also experienced plenty of spillage because most of the bags that were brought by the farmers were inappropriate for the use, and a lot of grain was wasted. It is for this reason that we insist that the maize should be stored in appropriate bags which have been supplied by the FRA.
I thank you, Sir.
MEDICAL TRAINING PROGRAMMES
43. Mr Chisala (Chilubi) asked the Minister of Health whether the ministry had plans to introduce direct entry in the following medical training programmes and, if so, when the plans would be implemented:
(a)medical licentiate; and
(b)midwifery;
The Deputy Minister of Health (Dr Chikusu): Mr Speaker, the Government, currently, has no plans to introduce a direct entry training programme for a medical licentiate. However, the House may wish to note that medical licentiate training is a programme under the Chainama Hills College. It is offered as an in-service training programme. Thus, for an officer to obtain an advanced diploma in medical licentiate, he or she must possess a diploma in clinical medicine. The officer must also have worked for a minimum of two years in the Public Service.
Mr Speaker, the House may wish to note that the Government, through the Ministry of Health, introduced the direct entry programme in midwifery in 2008 at Chipata School of Nursing, Roan Antelope School of Nursing and Midwifery, Nchanga North School of Nursing and Midwifery. Enrolment in all three training institutions has been as follows:
Year Enrolment in all three training institutions Pass rate
2008 98 81
2010 86 72
2011 103 92
Total 287 245
Further, the House may wish to note that the Government, through the Ministry of Health, has, in collaboration with Columbia University, through the United States President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR), introduced a combined nurse and midwifery training programme in two training institutions, namely the Lusaka School of Nursing and Midwifery and Monze School of Nursing and Midwifery. This programme runs for three and half years and the qualification obtained after the training is a diploma. The House may wish to note that this is a pre-service training programme.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Chisala: Mr Speaker, from the answer given by the hon. Minister, is his ministry considering introducing the midwifery programme in other training institutions such as Kasama School of Nursing?
The Minister of Health (Dr Kasonde): Mr Speaker, I do not think that question arises from the answer. However, it is an important question. The reason for introducing direct entry was as result of the failure to produce the high number of nurses and midwives required in health institutions particularly health centres at a certain time. This is the dilemma that, if resolved, will negate any need to combine the two. It is hoped that the rate at which the nurses will be produced will deal with the original dilemma. This is the intention. As to the actual institutions, this is a matter that is related to our projection of the numbers needed. Hence, as the numbers increase, we will be examining which institutions should be added to the programme.
I thank you, Sir.
RURAL HARDSHIP ALLOWANCE FOR TEACHERS IN CHILUBI
44. Mr Chisala asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education why the payment of the Rural Hardship Allowance to teachers in Chilubi is always delayed and, sometimes, not paid at all.
The Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Mr Mabumba): Mr Speaker, the Rural Hardship Allowance is an automated allowance on the Payroll Management and Establishment Control (PMEC) system as stated in the Public Service Management Division Circular No B.8. of 2012. It is paid to teachers in schools in the districts that are classified as rural or remote on the payroll. However, not every school in Chilubi district is designated as rural or remote.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Chisala: Mr Speaker, three quarters of the teachers who are serving in Chilubi are serving 50 km from the Boma. May I know why the Government has lamentably failed to consider such teachers.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, as I said, the Rural Hardship Allowance is an automated allowance on PMEC. Therefore, if those areas do not fall under those co-ordinates, teachers there will not be paid the allowance. Hon. Chisala, if he wants, can come to the ministry or the provincial headquarters in Kasama so that he can be guided on how this allowance is paid. There was a scientific exercise which was done by the Ministry of Lands, Natural Resources and Environmental Protection in terms of identifying the schools whose teachers have to be paid the allowance. If a teacher at a school is not being paid the allowance, it means he or she does not qualify for it.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Simbao (Senga Hill): Mr Speaker, I would like to learn from the hon. Minister …
Interruptions
Mr Speaker: Order!
Mr Simbao: Is Chilubi district, as a whole, not a rural district?
The Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education (Dr Phiri): Mr Speaker, the definition of rural and remote station is as follows: A rural station is a station which is between 30 to 70 km from the nearest district centre while a remote station is one which is over 70 km from the nearest district centre.
Let me also mention that by this definition and for the purposes of this activity, distance means the distance from the nearest district centre and not necessarily the administrative district where the station belongs.
Sir, let me add that in some cases, the hindrance is usually because of the delay in teachers being put on the payroll. This is an exercise that goes on daily. We still have to perfect the payroll system. So, in many cases, there is no clear understanding, in the system, of some of these definitions. We need to work on this as we progress so that we have a more humane system in place.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out …
Mr Livune: On a point of order, Sir.
Mr Speaker: Order!
Is it on the hon. Member for Monze Central?
Mr Livune: No, Sir.
Mr Speaker: That is the person who is on the Floor now.
Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, is Hon. Mwila …
Mr Speaker: Order!
You did not get the point. On whom are you raising a point of order?
Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, on the happenings in the House.
Mr Speaker: Happenings in the House?
Mr Livune: Mr Speaker, the procedures.
Sir, is the hon. Deputy Minister of Defence, Hon. Mwila, in order to harass Hon. Chisala for highlighting the failure of the Government to honour the payment of hardship allowance to teachers in Chilubi Constituency who deserve it?
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Speaker: Order!
I am not able to say anything either way because I have not seen any harassment.
Interruptions
Hon. Opposition Members: We have seen it, Sir.
Laughter
Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, pertaining to the conditionality on the payment of hardship allowances to teachers, I would like to find out whether that definition of conditionality is still applicable considering that this Government has created districts where there is no infrastructure and facilities. Will they still be saying that if you are 50 km away from a tree, then you are not entitled to hardship allowance?
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, I indicated that there are always grey areas which we are trying to work on. We have not reached a perfect system yet. We will take into consideration the fact that there are new districts coming up and we will adjust as we go on. However, the bottom line is that this definition will apply in all cases.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Mufalali (Senanga): Mr Speaker, may the hon. Minister further clarify what constitutes remote and rural because much of Senanga is remote. You have to walk from the Boma because there are no roads.
Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, if I have to repeat, a rural station is one which is between 30 km and 70 km from the nearest district centre of Senanga. The remote station will be any station over 70 km from the nearest district centre of Shang’ombo or Senanga.
Sir, I added that for the purpose of this definition, distance means the distance from the nearest district centre of Senanga or Shang’ombo and not necessarily the administrative district where the station belongs. That is the definition that we look at but, again, this is not cast in stone at all. There will be a need to review this as we go on. As more districts come on board, this definition might be looked at again.
I thank you, Sir.
Ms Lubezhi: Mr Speaker, I am seeking a bonus answer from the hon. Minister. Does the Government have any plans to provide sporting attire for schools as it used to be before because pupils do sports in pathetic attire?
Mr Speaker: Order!
There is no provision for bonus answers. We are dealing with supplementary questions. That is all.
Laughter
GRANTS FOR SCHOOLS IN KALABO
45. Mr Miyutu asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education:
(a)why the Government had not been providing grants to schools in Kalabo from 2010 to date; and
(b)when the provision of grants would resume.
Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, I wish to inform the House that the Government has been providing grants to schools in Kalabo from 2010 to date. The grants are in two categories.
Sir, the first one is the National Implementation Fund (NIF). In 2010, what was disbursed to schools in Kalabo was in the range of K335 million. In 2011, there was no money which was disbursed because this fund is normally funded by the donors. We did not have any money from the donors at that time. In 2012, we have so far disbursed K305 million.
Mr Speaker, the second one is the Recurrent Departmental Charges. In 2010, what was disbursed to Kalabo was K558 million. In 2011, we disbursed K769,840,000, while in 2012, what has been disbursed is K524 million. Therefore, as far as the ministry is concerned, this money has been disbursed to Kalabo.
I thank you, Sir.
MONEY OWED TO ZESCO BY GOVERNMENT
46. Dr Kazonga (Vubwi) asked the Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development:
(a)how much money was owed to the Zambia Electricity Corporation (ZESCO) Limited by various Government ministries and departments in electricity bills from October, 2011 to February, 2012, month by month; and
(b)what measures the Government had taken to clear the bills.
The Deputy Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Musukwa): Mr Speaker, various Government ministries and departments including local authorities, water utilities and parastatal companies owe ZESCO Limited huge sums of money in unpaid electricity bills.
Sir, at the end of February, 2012, the total sum owed was K190,083,000,000, broken down as follows:
Amount (K)
(i) October 161,061,000,000
(ii) November 174,031,000,000
(ii) December 177,001,000,000
(iii) January 181,001,000,000
(iii) February 190,083,000,000
Mr Speaker, these huge sums owed are adversely affecting the operations and key performance indicators of ZESCO Limited. ZECSO Limited has submitted the schedules to the respective Government ministries and departments.
The ministry has written to all Government ministries, reminding them to settle all their outstanding bills to ZESCO Limited. In addition, the Government, through ZESCO, intends to install pre-paid meters in all Government ministries apart from health and security facilities. Forty per cent of the electricity units bought will go to off-setting the outstanding debt.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Kazonga: Mr Speaker, a trend analysis of those five months reveals that the trend is increasing. With the possibility of electricity tariffs increasing, what measures are being taken to ensure that there is adequate provision in the budget for different ministries and departments so that ZESCO can be given what is due to it?
The Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development (Mr Mukanga): Mr Speaker, the measures being taken are those that were given in the answer. However, we will try to make budget provisions subject to approval by Parliament so that it will be easy for us to reduce this debt.
I thank you, Sir.
Ms Kalima: Mr Speaker, all ministries have a budget which includes a budget for bills. Is there a particular reason the ministries have failed to meet their obligations?
Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, these figures that have been given are cumulative. They have been carried over from the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) era to us.
Interruptions
Mr Mukanga: We are making provisions to ensure that we reduce this debt and, also, come up with a plan where we put all Government institutions on pre-paid meters. These bills, which we are resolving now, were accumulated from the time of the MMD. I did not want to reveal that, but I need this to be understood clearly.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Speaker: Let us say coming from the past.
Laughter
Mr Simbao: Mr Speaker, does the hon. Minister believe that the delay in the settling of bills has created the need for ZESCO to hike the tariffs?
Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, the answer to that question is no. I think we need to understand why all these tariff increments are coming in and, also, the problems that we have in as far as electric power generation is concerned. We have had very little investment in electric power generation and that is why we have a lot of problems in the energy sector. However, with the investment that we are putting in, I am sure that all the problems which we have had will soon come to and end.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, has the hon. Minister considered disconnecting all the ministries which have not paid?
Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, we do not think along those lines. What we are saying is that we are installing pre-paid meters and through that installation there is software which will be able to claim 40 per cent of the debt accrued. The best way to deal with the issue is with the pre-paid system that will ensure that all ministries will be up to date.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, if I heard the hon. Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development correctly, he indicated that the figures are cumulative and they also took into account the accumulations from the MMD period.
Sir, the question is very clear. It reads: “how much money was owed to ZESCO Limited by various Government ministries and departments in electricity bills from October, 2011, up to February, 2012. It is public knowledge that the PF came into office in September, 2011. How can they tell us that October, 2011, to February, 2012, was a period that was being managed by the MMD?
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!{mospagebreak}
Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I am neither a lawyer nor an accountant, but I can tell you that when bills are not paid in one month, they will be carried over to the next. The bills are cumulative. By the time October came, the Government had bills from July or June. Unless we dismantle that bill, it will continue to accumulate. However, we have a system in place to ensure that we dismantle that bill and we are committed to do so. We have the energy and we are going to do it.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Speaker: I hope the answer is clear.
Hon. Opposition Members: No!
Laughter
Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): Mr Speaker, in my head, the answer is still unclear.
Sir, the hon. Minister of Mines, Energy and Water Development told us that bills are ccumulative. The word ‘cumulating’ means that there is a bill that is attached to those particular thirty days which can be separated. The hon. Member of Parliament for Vubwi wanted to know if there were any bills for the specific period of October, 2011, to date. It is possible for those statistics to be given. Would it not be better if the hon. Minister did us a favour and simply admitted that he must go and research …
Interruptions
Mr Nkombo: Can you keep quiet!
Sir, I need you protection.
Interruptions
Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, His Excellency the President said that hon. Members of Government should answer questions. Is it not orderly for him to ask leave to research further and come back to the House with a response?
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, I get surprised when people begin to ask questions on things that they do not understand.
Hon. Opposition Members: Aah!
Mr Mukanga: Mr Speaker, you only research things that you do not know and not things that you know. You give answers to the things you know, and that is what I am doing now. I am providing accurate answers for that matter.
Hon. Government Members: Yes!
Mr Mukanga: I have provided answers and they are correct ones. I will call a spade a spade and not a silver spoon.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
SupplierS of medical equipment and drugs
47. Mr Hamusonde asked the Minister of Health who the suppliers of medical equipment and drugs to Government hospitals and health centres are.
Mr Mulenga: Mr Speaker, the procurement of medical equipment and drugs for Government hospitals and health centres is done through open tendering. Hence, the suppliers of medical equipment and drugs to Government hospitals and health centres are both local and international. All suppliers are engaged through an open competitive method of procurement through authorising levels. Some of the major suppliers of medical equipment and drugs are as follows:
Suppliers of Medical Equipment to Ministry of Health
Supplier Description Year Amount
Processed
. Tech-fab Supply, delivery, installation 2008-2011 US$2,624,297
International Ltd and commissioning of
various medical equipment
for existing hospitals.
.Hig-Tech Supply and delivery of 2010-2012 US$901,384.84
Healthcare, India theater equipment.
Hon. Opposition Member: On a point of order.
Mr Speaker: Order!
Your point order is misconceived. The hon. Deputy Minister is responding.
Continue, hon. Deputy Minister, continue please.
Mr C. Mulenga:
Octo Trading Supply and delivery of 2010-2012 US$83,976.00
Theater equipment
Specialised Systems Supply and delivery of 2010-2012 US$90,360.00
Limited theater equipment
Sagewood Limited, Supply and delivery of 2011 US$116,069.40
UK Histology equipment
Jos Hansen and Supply and delivery of 2011 €74,239.00
Soechem GmBH, Histology equipment
Germany
DeVats (India) Supply and delivery of 2012 US$7,555.00
Private Limited various medical equipment
for 133 health posts and
four health centres in
Zambia
GPC Medical Supply and delivery of 2012 US$28,048.47
Limited, India various medical equipment
for 133 health posts and
four health centres in Zambia
Baxy Pharmaceuticals Supply and delivery of 2012 US$32,959.14
Limited, Zambia various medical equipment
for 133 health posts and
four health centres in Zambia
Pharmaplus Supply and delivery of 2012 US$24,116.47
Limited, Zambia various medical equipment
for 133 health posts and four
health centres in Zambia
Mohan Exports, Supply and delivery of 2012 US$719,666.80
India various medical equipment
for 133 health posts and
four health centres in
Zambia
Shaftex Zambia Supply and delivery of 2012 US$89,800,500.00
Limited various medical equipment
for 133 health posts and
four health centres in
Zambia
United Poly Supply and delivery of 2012 US$101,132.60
Engineering (Pvt) various medical equipment
Limited, India for 133 health posts and
four health centres in
Zambia
Hightech Supply and delivery of 2012 US$747,393.41
Healthcare, India various medical equipment
for 133 health posts and
four health centres in
Zambia
Medical Export Supply and delivery of 2012 US$94,906.39
Group BV various medical equipment
Netherlands for 133 health posts and
four health centres in
Zambia
G.S.T. Corporation, Supply and delivery of 2012 US$4,683.14
India various medical equipment
for 133 health posts and
four health centres in
Zambia
Muhanya Solar Supply and delivery of 2012 K6,447,113.891.24
Limited, Zambia various medical equipment
for 133 health posts and
four health centres in
Zambia
Suppliers of Drugs in 2011
Company Name Amount (Kwacha)
Baxy Pharmaceuticals Ltd 5,700,734,088.72
Cipla Limited 9,881,146,908.00
International Drug 6,045,884,800.00
Company
Lusaka Medi Camp Ltd 1,370,421,250.00
Matrix Laboratories Ltd 10,758,738,600.00
Mission Pharma A/V 43,655,679,000.00
Pharma Plus Limited 3,329,014,625.00
Philips Pharmaceuticals 1,179,773,900.00
(Z) Limited
Sterelin Medical and 1,143,170,000.00
Diagnostics Limited
UNIMED International 137,777,738,400.00
V.L. Heathnet Services 4,893,554,000.00
Ltd
V.Y. King Pharmaceuticals 1,546,421,750.00
Ltd
Yash Pharmaceuticals 1,196,125,000.00
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Mulenga laid the paper on the Table.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Hamusonde: Mr Speaker, we have heard that private companies and individuals do supply drugs to Government hospitals. Can the hon. Minister confirm to us that these are genuine drugs.
Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I am glad to note that the hon. Member is not a supplier of these drugs.
Mr Speaker: Order!
Business was suspended from 1615 hours until 1630 hours.
[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]
ANNOUNCEMENT BY MR SPEAKER
BURIAL OF THE LATE MRS BETTY KAUNDA
Mr Speaker: Hon. Members, I have received communication to the effect that the burial of the late Former First Lady, Mrs Betty Kaunda, who passed away on Thursday, 20th September, 2012, in Harare, Zimbabwe, will take place tomorrow, on Friday, 28th September, 2012, at her former residence, near State Lodge, in Lusaka. The burial ceremony will be preceded by a memorial church service at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross commencing at 1000 hours. In order to afford all hon. Members an opportunity to attend both the church service and the burial, His Honour the Vice-President will, at an appropriate stage, tomorrow, Friday, 28th September, 2012, move a Motion to adjourn the House early.
Thank you.
_______
Mr Speaker: When business was suspended, the House was considering Question 47 on the Order Paper asked by the hon. Member for Nangoma and the hon. Minister of Health was responding to a Supplementary Question by the hon. Member for Nangoma. May he continue.
Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I am always pleased to brief potential suppliers on the customary processes that ensure that high standards are maintained. Indeed, this is an area in which Zambia was given accolades at the World Health Assembly (WHA) meeting in May, this year.
Mr Speaker, we have the Pharmaceutical Regulation Authority (PRA) in place and it is the responsibility of that authority to ensure that supplies of medicines to both public and private institutions are checked, through samples and laboratory testing, from time to time.
This facility is in place and we are finding it quite satisfactory.
I thank you, Sir.
Ms Sayifwanda (Zambezi East): Mr Speaker, what happened to the drug kit assembly at the Medical Stores Limited (MSL)?
Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, you may have noticed that I was unable to participate in the debate yesterday because I was attending a meeting in Siavonga at which we were addressing the urgent issue of ensuring that drugs are delivered to the ‘last mile’, as we call it. The concept of boxes, which was a way of conveying drugs from MSL, was initiated several years ago and has been doing well. Therefore, there is no intention to discontinue that system. However, there is an intention to strengthen it so that the shortages of drugs at referral health centres can be brought to an end, once and for all. It is for that reason that an important strategic meeting with all stakeholders is taking place until tomorrow. I would like to assure the hon. Member that our village in Chitokoloki will be assured of supplies once new measures are put in place.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Hamudulu: Mr Speaker, why is the ministry dealing in foreign currencies, including dollars and euros, after the Government gave directives against that? The hon. Minister of Justice is there to give guidance.
Mr Speaker: There is no reason to drag the hon. Minister of Justice into your debate.
Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I thank you for ensuring that this matter is kept within the family, not distributed elsewhere. The figures quoted have been in kwacha, as well as those in dollars, which is, of course, because of the location of the supplier. I regret that, to this day, most of our supplies are from outside the country. Therefore, whether or not we shall pay them in kwacha, we shall have to quote the figures that they quote in the currencies of their countries. Our hope is that we shall lessen these foreign transactions and have more local suppliers so that more of our transactions are local.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, is the PRA the same institution that is said to have obsolete equipment and unable to perform its functions because it was not funded by the previous Government? Has the PF Government, now, decided to establish a modern laboratory so that the authority can carry out that function? Is the authority able to perform that function with the obsolete equipment that it currently has?
Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I am glad that the hon. Member has raised this issue because it is important. As you may know, I do not pride myself on historical detail. So, all I can say is that, not very long ago, I received a consignment from one corporate agency for this purpose. On that occasion, I made a public announcement that this was a continuation of the process of strengthening the laboratory that we should have been using in previous days. Therefore, I have the assurance not only that the laboratory has been strengthened, but that this equipment is now available.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Mwanza (Solwezi West): Mr Speaker, I was listening very attentively to the hon. Deputy Minister as he was reading out the list of suppliers of drugs to the Ministry of Health. From what I heard, there are very few Zambians who are supplying drugs to the ministry. Most suppliers are foreigners. Why is this so, when our people should benefit from this facility?
Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, the hon. Member definitely correctly heard what I said. Whether or not he actually understood is another issue that we could go into.
Laughter
Dr Kasonde: In my statement, I said that most of our suppliers are, indeed, foreigners. This is a serious situation that arises because Zambians are not manufactures of those drugs. The whole manufacturing balance has to change before we can change our suppliers so that we have more local supplies as opposed to external supplies. This is the reality.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister has said that Zambians do not manufacture these drugs. Is there a possibility that Zambian traders who understand pharmaceuticals can be deliberately placed in a position to take part in this trade in order for them to, in turn, provide employment for other Zambians like it happens in other countries where there are affirmative action programmes?
Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I agree with the hon. Member that we should have some kind of control so that our local suppliers can begin to participate. This is a proviso that has been made in other countries, for instance, in South Africa and Nigeria. We, in Zambia, have also emulated that trend. I will invite hon. Members to check the newspapers and other documents in which we advertise for purchases for the provisos.
I thank you, Sir.
REHABILITATION OF CANALS IN LUKULU WEST
48. Mr Mutelo (Lukulu West) asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication:
(a) how many canals in Lukulu West Parliamentary Constituency were rehabilitated in 2011;
(b) what the cost of the rehabilitation was; and
(c) whether the Government had any plans to rehabilitate the following canals in 2012:
(i)Kasizhi;
(ii)Chinonwe; and
(iii)Lutembwe.
The Deputy Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication (Dr Mwali): Mr Speaker, 10km of each of the following canals were worked on in 2011 in Lukulu West Constituency: Waloti, Simayumbula, Luwambimba, Lutembwe, Mitete and Kashizhi.
The cost of rehabilitation works on the above-mentioned canals was K44,150,000.
Mr Speaker, the Government has plans to rehabilitate the canals. The Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications disbursed K400 million for the rehabilitation of canals in 2012. These funds were applied in Mongu, Senanga and Kalabo districts, according to the priorities which were set by the province.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker does the hon. Minister’s response mean that no money has been allocated to Lukulu West, and if so, I would like to know why?
Laughter
Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, as I said earlier, the allocation of K400 million was to the Western Province. The province elected to prioritise Mongu, Senanga and Kalabo districts.
The ministry is aware of the serious needs in the remaining districts and, to this effect, if at all the request for supplementary funding will be granted before the end of the year, we shall definitely disburse more money and hopefully the province will manage to service the remaining districts.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Mufalali: Mr Speaker, I would like to find out from the hon. Minister whether money meant for all the canals, including those named, has been disbursed to the people who are supposed to clear them.
The Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications (Mr Yaluma): Mr Speaker, we all know the extent of the works which need to be done on the waterways in the Western and Luapula provinces. It is a pity that there are insufficient funds available for maintenance and other extensions. To this effect, we do feel that there is a lot of work that needs to be done on the canals.
I went to the Western Province. My heart bled when I saw the status of the water system, which was well intended by the colonial government, but has been neglected. I would like to assure the House that we will put money aside in 2013 to seriously address the issues we are raising right now. We are not trying to run away from it. We have a task ahead of us of cleaning up and ensuring that all the clogging in the canals and harbours is attended to.
Mr Speaker, I thank you. {mospagebreak}
Dr Musokotwane (Liuwa): Mr Speaker, I thank the hon. Minister for showing concern regarding the state of the canals.
Mr Speaker, the Government recently announced a very ambitious programme for roads called “Link Zambia”. In view of the fact that provinces such as the Western, Luapula and parts of North-Western provinces are dependent on waterways, would the hon. Minister consider instituting a similar ambitious programme for waterways and canals.
Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, the issue which the hon. Member has raised is being attended to. We are trying to put up, for the first time, a maintenance fund for the waterways just like we have done for the roads. We are also trying to go in flat out and procure dredgers like never before.
I raised this issue last week in Cabinet. His Excellency the President and the hon. Minister of Finance welcomed it. I had to revisit the budget for the water system in Lunga, Zambezi and Chilubi. I do, therefore, note your suggestion. That is the route to go.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Miyutu: Mr Speaker, while I appreciate the measures undertaken by the Government to improve the water system in the Western Province and other places, I would like to find out from the Government whether it has got any intention to create a department specifically for canals unlike having it under the District Commissioner’s (DC) office.
Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, I stand to be corrected, but the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication has a Maritime Department under the full supervision of a director. It is not under the DC’s office. It is under our ministry and fully supervised by a fully-fledged director.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Ndalamei (Sikongo): Mr Speaker, I heard the hon. Minister mention Kalabo. Which canals were cleared in Kalabo?
Laughter
Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, I would request that the hon. Member goes to find out which canals were worked on. I was in Kalabo recently. I do not remember seeing any canal which had been worked on. I would urge the House to look forward to the next budget.
I thank you, Sir.
Professor Lungwangwa: Mr Speaker, the hon. Minister indicated to the House that he is establishing a maintenance fund for canals. Given the fact that wetlands in our country are a significant environmental factor, is the hon. Minister thinking beyond the establishment of a fund and considering a broader policy on canals, especially for the wetlands.
Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, the problems which come with the rainy season in the Western Province are exacerbated by clogged canals. As a result, there is no outlet for water to go into the rivers which, in turn, results in floods making life for the people in the area very difficult.
These canals were well-intended right at the beginning of the colonial Government to ensure meaningful transportation for the people of the Western and Luapula provinces. However, somewhere along the way, we have lost it.
We want to clear up these canals so that, at least, the waters will flow. We want the canals to be used for the intended purpose. I saw a boat coming from Angola which docked at Hon. Miyutu’s harbour. There is something which looks like a ferry there, but it is not. It is makeshift and pulled by rods. The fact that even trucks cross over by being pulled is a hazardous arrangement which we cannot allow. A bridge will do better there.
Mr Speaker, just to show our enthusiasm on this matter, there is a canal being opened between Shang’ombo and Livungu in Angola. Hon. Professor Lungwangwa is well aware of this. We have to improve upon his proposal and we are going forward with it.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE
49. Mr L. Zimba asked the Minister of Gender and Child Development what measures the Government had taken to reduce incidences of gender-based violence (GBV).
The Minister of Gender and Child Development (Mrs Wina): Mr Speaker, the Government has developed a comprehensive legislation framework which seeks to eliminate discrimination and GBV.
Sir, the Anti-Gender Based Violence Act No. 1 of 2011 among other things, provides for the protection of victims of GBV and the establishment of the Anti-Gender Based Violence Committee.
The Anti-Gender Based Violence Committee comprising membership from the various ministries of the Government including the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health, Ministry of Gender and Child Development, Ministry of Youth and Sports, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education, representatives of the Attorney-General, representatives from the Human Rights Commission, representatives of the House of Chiefs, representatives of the Law Association of Zambia, representatives of the Zambia Police Service, representatives of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) and two other persons was constituted and held its first meeting on 29th August, 2012.
Mr Speaker, the Act also provides for the establishment of shelters for the survivors of the GBV to ensure that they have a safe place to stay as they pursue their respective cases with the appropriate authorities. In addition, the Act establishes a fund for the survivors of the GBV as a social protection measure.
The role of the Ministry of Gender and Child Development, as spelt out in the Act, is to facilitate the sensitisation of the public and law enforcement agencies on the provisions of the Act.
So far, the sensitisation programmes on the provisions of the Anti-Gender Based Violence Act have been conducted targeting judges and Victim Support Unit (VSU) staff. Prosecutors have also been targeted for sensitisation.
In line with the PF’s Manifesto which has placed emphasis on ensuring that all regional and international instruments to which Zambia is party are domesticated, the ministry has initiated a systematic review of national legislation and policies to determine the extent to which the provisions of the International Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) have been incorporated. The CEDAW is a comprehensive legal instrument outlining women’s rights.
Mr Speaker, this is an international protocol which some people call the Bible for women’s rights.
Hon. Government Member: Yes!
Mrs Wina: Mr Speaker, the other measures which the Government has taken to reduce the incidence of GBV cases include the development of the National Plan of Action on GBV whose goal is to eliminate GBV in a holistic, systematic and comprehensive manner through multi-sectoral and multi-dimensional approach and to provide care and services to survivors of the GBV.
In this regard, the plan calls for strong advocacy, strengthened linkages among the various implementing partners, streamlined resource utilisation and, most importantly of all, the active involvement of all men in the fight against the GBV.
Sir, in order to provide resources for implementing the national action plan, the Government has mobilised additional resources through the GRZ-UN Joint Programme on GBV (GRZ-UN JP on GBV). The GRZ-UN JP on GBV was developed to support the Government of the Republic of Zambia to implement the provisions of the CEDAW with particular focus on the recommendations on violence against women that were contained in July 2011 CEDAW concluding observations and recommendations of the special rapporteur on violence against women.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, I wish to thank the hon. Minister of Gender and Child Development for that comprehensive statement pertaining to GBV. I would like to find out from her whether it is a policy of this Government that when a man is abused or beaten by a woman, the Ministry of Gender and Child Development will not condemn that beating, but when it is a woman who has beaten, they will quickly make a ministerial statement over that beating. What is the official position of the ministry over the abuse of male victims?
Hon. Male Members: Hear, hear!
Mrs Wina: Mr Speaker, …
Interruptions
Mrs Kawandami: They do not report!
Interruptions
Mr Speaker: Order!
It is a policy issue that is being sought after.
Mrs Wina: … thank you for that supplementary question.
Sir, the ministry does not discriminate between men and women. What we are discovering is that there are very few cases of men being battered by their wives that are reported to the police.
Laughter
Mr Speaker: Order!
Mrs Wina: We have been making statements to the effect that when men are battered, they should also report, but there is complete silence on this front.
The policy of the ministry is that any form of GBV will be condemned whether it is done by a woman or man.
Hon. Male Members: Hear, hear!
Mrs Wina: Sir, in addition, violence against children has become so prevalent that, sometimes, I wonder whether we, the parents of these children, care for them any more.
Mr Speaker, I still urge men who are harassed or emotionally traumatised by their women to report the matter to the police.
I thank you, Sir.
Hon. Male Members: Hear, hear!
Laughter
Mr Speaker: This may not be the appropriate forum.
Laughter
Mr Ng’onga (Kaputa): Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for that elaborate answer she has given. However, I would like to know what measures the Government will put in place in rural areas such as my constituency where GBV is not reported, but quite rampant in most cases based on the nature of our socialisation. We do not even have where to report these cases. So, I would like to know what measures are in place to address GBV in places like Kaputa.
Mrs Wina: Mr Speaker, in my earlier submission, I pointed out that we have engaged other stakeholders such as the House of Chiefs, the police, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Community Development, Mother and Child Health and others to help sensitise the public on GBV. Sensitising communities, including the people in Kaputa, is our role as a ministry.
Sir, we will have to go out there to sensitise communities on the dangers and horrors of GBV. I believe that the hon. Members of Parliament can also help the ministry in disseminating information on the issues of GBV. That way, this country will have the opportunity to get more information on GBV and how we can tackle it, who to report to and where. The VSU will be in most of the districts. If not yet, this will happen.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
PONTOONS AT KAZUNGULA
50. Mr Ntundu asked the Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication:
(a) how many pontoons were operational at the Kazungula Ferry Point as of 30th April, 2012;
(b) who the owners of the pontoons were
Dr Mwali: Mr Speaker, four pontoons were operational at Kazungula Ferry Point as at 30th April, 2012. The Engineering Services Corporation (ESCO), which is under the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communication, operates three pontoons and the Botswana Government operates one pontoon. The pontoons operated by ESCO were: Zambezi, Chobe and Sekute.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Ntundu: Mr Speaker, the previous Government left a policy in place that cross, border traders would use the Zambian pontoons at no cost at all. I would like to find out, from the PF Government, how it will fulfil its promises of more money in people’s pockets when the cross-border traders are now made to pay when crossing the Zambezi River. How are these people going to have more money in their pockets as per your campaign promises?
Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, I think I am hearing that there was such a policy, which exempted all the cross-border traders from paying any levy when crossing the Zambezi River, for the first time. If my memory serves me right, I have crossed that river on the same ferry and I have always paid different types of levies. So, the charging has been in practice and still is.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Dr Musokotwane: Mr Speaker, at one time, the Zambian residents in Botswana complained to the President that the pontoon at Kazungula was not efficient and the President told them to stop complaining because he was going to order the residents of Sesheke to make canoes for them. I would like to find out what progress has been made in terms of the residents of Sesheke making canoes for the motorists coming from Botswana.
Laughter
Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, it is a process to reach that far. So, we will come to it when we cross that bridge.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Mutelo: Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the hon. Minister for mentioning ESCO as part of the owners of some pontoons at Kazungula. ESCO, has been holding on to one pontoon meant for Lukulu, I would like to know when it will be taken there?
Mr Yaluma: Mr Speaker, I think I would ask Hon. Mutelo to bring that information forward and then we will see how we can help, if there was anything promised to that effect.
I thank you, Sir.
CONSTRUCTION OF HOSPITAL AT MUNYUMBWE
51. Mr Ntundu asked the Minister of Health:
(a)when the construction of a new district hospital at Munyumbwe in Gwembe District would commence;
(b)what the estimated cost of constructing the hospital was;
(c)who the contractor was; and
(d) what the time frame for completion of the project was.
Mr Mulenga: Mr Speaker, the construction of a district hospital in Gwembe will commence this year (2012). The estimated cost for construction of Gwembe District Hospital is K20 billion. The contractor for the hospital is not yet known as the procurement process is still going on. Once the procurement process is completed, the contractor will be announced to the public as per requirement of the Zambia Public Procurement Act. The hospital will be constructed in three phases starting with Phase I in 2012. It is projected that the hospital will be completed in three to four years time.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Ntundu: Mr Speaker, let me thank the new hon. Minister, who is trying to answer better than the others.
Laughter
Mr Speaker: I do not think the hon. Member of Parliament for Gwembe should sit in judgment on that score. Give your supplementary question.
Mr Ntundu: Mr Speaker, now that the hon. Minister has confirmed that the construction of Gwembe District Hospital at Munyumbwe will commence this year, with three more months remaining to end 2012, I would like to find out whether this project will come with staff houses.
Dr Kasonde: Sir, I would like to thank the hon. Member for Gwembe who is trying, definitely, to ask questions better than others.
Laughter
Dr Kasonde: In our description of the three phases of development of a hospital, staff houses do not come into the first phase.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Mwiimbu: Mr Speaker, how far has the tendering process gone, taking into account that the Government wants to finish Phase I of this project this year?
Dr Kasonde: Sir, I am unable to give details on how far the tendering process has gone for the good reason that the hon. Minister is protected from interfering with the customary tendering process.
I thank you, Sir.
CONSTRUCTION OF TAFERANSONI SCHOOL
52. Mr Mbewe asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education:
(a)when construction of Taferansoni School in Chadiza Parliamentary Constituency would commence; and
(b)what the estimated cost of the project was.
Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, the construction of Taferansoni Secondary School commenced in 2005 using the Poverty Reduction Programme (PRP) funds from the Provincial Permanent Secretary’s Office. From 2005 to date, four staff houses have been constructed using the community mode approach at a cost of K320 million. The estimated cost of the project is K13, 000,500,000, going by the way other day secondary schools are constructed.
Mr Speaker, I thank you.
Mr Mbewe: Mr Speaker, since the hon. Minister has said that the construction of the secondary started in 2005, is the ministry going to continue with the construction of this school and when is it going to finish?
Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, Taferansoni Day Secondary School is one experiment that we would want to discourage. I did indicate some time back that we will resist building secondary schools using the community mode. One reason for this is Taferansoni Day Secondary School. This is a school sitting on a basic school as a day secondary school. It shares classroom blocks with Taferansoni Basic School and the developments are meant to upgrade part of this basic school to a high school.
We are hoping that we can reduce the pain of our children at Taferansoni because, currently, the pupils in the secondary sector take their examinations from Chadiza Day Secondary School, which is about 20 km from this basic school. In short, we will provide a day facility by constructing two 1x3 classroom blocks and specialised rooms in form of laboratories, if we are going to get an examination centre status for this institution. In our 2013 annual work plan, as the hon. Deputy Minister has mentioned, we will factor in these developments which we want to use to rescue this school from the position it is in now.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Mr Mufalali: Mr Speaker, there are staff houses at Taferansoni Secondary School that are being built using the community mode and I realise that the hon. Minister, actually, indicates the community mode to be poor. What are the measures the ministry is taking to ensure that the works that are done in community mode are, actually, not comprised?
Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, it should be borne in mind that the construction of these staff houses was done through funds from the PRP from the Provincial Permanent Secretary’s Office, as has been said by the hon. Deputy Minister. However, at the end of each construction, our infrastructure team at headquarters ascertains, in all cases, whether the facilities can be said to be in a good condition.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Dr Kazonga: Mr Speaker, forty years ago, I was a pupil at Taferansoni Upper Primary School, as it was called in those days.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Dr Kazonga: I am, therefore, interested in the development of this institution into a day high school. Are there any plans to construct additional houses to those four that were done already in next year’s plan?
Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, I did indicate that we will factor in Taferansoni in the 2013 Budget. If we are going to spend K13 billion for this day school, as we do for all other day schools, it includes twenty houses for our teachers. We do not want to prolong the pain of our teachers by building institutions without taking into account where the teachers will sleep.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
REHABILITATION OF MORTUARY AT MULOBEZI HEALTH CENTRE
53. Mr Sililo (Mulobezi) asked the Minister of Health:
(a)when the mortuary at Mulobezi Health Centre would be rehabilitated; and
(b)how much money the exercise would require.
Mr Mulenga: Mr Speaker, the Government will not rehabilitate, but construct a mortuary at Mulobezi Health Centre in 2013. The House may wish to note that until recently, Mulobezi Health Centre was not connected to the ZESCO power grid and, as such, the mortuary at the health centre is not refrigerated and could not be used for storage of deceased persons for a long time. The estimated cost of construction of a mortuary is K300 million.
I thank you very much, Mr Speaker.
Mr Habeenzu: Sir, while the Government is still planning to construct a mortuary, are there any immediate plans to help the situation at this clinic?
Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, the interim arrangements always relate to the use of generators, and I think that the hon. Minister was trying point out the fact that, whatever measures are put in place, they cannot be for long periods because of the limitations of generators on the duration of refrigeration. Therefore, there is always the possibility of using a generator, but that cannot provide electricity for long-term storage.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Sing’ombe: Mr Speaker, would the ministry not consider providing a suitable mode of transport for this health centre to assist the members of that community who would want to delay burials for some reasons.
Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, it is a good suggestion. However, let me draw attention to the fact that transport in the provinces, particularly in the rural areas, has always been a problem and our attempts to provide ambulances have been successful, but not transport for general services including, for example, the transportation of cadavers. I think that the hon. Member raised an important question, one which we are unable to address today. I hope that we can collaborate with the communities in providing transport.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Sianga (Sesheke): Mr Speaker, the whole district has no mortuary. As I speak, Sichili has already been electrified. When will the ministry connect electricity to the mortuary in Sichili to assist the people of Mulobezi?
Dr Kasonde: Mr Speaker, I thought that I should restrict my remarks to the question and the introduction of another place seems to, perhaps, be confusing the picture. I would wish to revert to that at an appropriate time when the hon. Member would have reflected on it and put it as a question.
I thank you, Sir.
DEBS OFFICE IN MULOBEZI
54. Mr Sililo asked the Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education when the office of the District Education Board Secretary (DEBS) would be opened in Mulobezi District.
Mr Mabumba: Mr Speaker, the DEBS’s Office will be opened in Mulobezi District as soon as Treasury authority to appoint officers is provided. However, the construction of the office is planned for 2013.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Mufalali: Mr Speaker, how does the ministry intend to ensure that quality education is not provided by remote control?
Dr Phiri: Mr Speaker, I am grateful to the hon. Member for his concern for quality education. That is precisely why the ministry wants to double its efforts in building DEBS offices in all the districts. Currently, there are a number of districts that use the district administrative offices with the permission of the District Commissioners (DCs). However, we would like to move in quickly and set up these offices, although the districts have now increased, because we know that it will enable our district representatives, the DEBS, to do more meaningful monitoring and evaluation exercises in the school system in the districts.
I thank you, Sir.
POLICE POST IN LUFWANYAMA
55. Mrs Chungu (Lufwanyama) asked the Minister of Home Affairs when the construction of the police post in Lufwanyama District would be completed and opened to the public.
Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, since Lufwanyama is now a district, the Government decided to construct a police station, which has already been completed. The police station will be opened to the public once houses for police officers are constructed.
I thank you, Sir.
Mrs Chungu: Mr Speaker, is the hon. Minister aware that the completed part of the police station has been turned into accommodation quarters by police officers?
Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, yes, the ministry is aware that part of the police station is being used by police officers who were manning the police post. Like I said, there are plans to construct houses for the officers who are living in station and many more other officers who are supposed to go and fill the whole structure of the police station.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr L. J. Ngoma (Sinda): Mr Speaker, when will those plans for the construction of the envisaged houses be materialised?
Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, I indicated, in my response, that the plans to construct these houses are to be implemented next year.
I thank you, Sir.
Mr Katambo (Masaiti): Mr Speaker, since the police officers are using the newly-constructed police station, is there no other alternative that the police officers can use, such as tents, like the officers are using at Kafulafuta in Masaiti District?
Mr Kampyongo: Mr Speaker, our police command is trying to pursue other avenues, including looking for accommodation that can be rented for our police officers. So, we are trying to do something about that situation and, very soon, the area hon. Member of Parliament will be informed on what will be done.
I thank you, Sir.
___________{mospagebreak}
MOTION
MOTION OF THANKS
(Debate resumed)
Mr Nkombo (Mazabuka Central): I thank you, Mr Speaker, and the mover and seconder of the Motion of Thanks to the President’s Address to this august House last Friday. I stand disadvantaged because I was not physically here to actually visualise what I have heard happened. In front of me, I have, as the Chair ruled yesterday, two documents that will help me in my discourse.
Mr Speaker, I am told that His Excellency the President indicated and reiterated his desire to work with Opposition hon. Members of Parliament in order to assist the people of this country, whom we are privileged to represent in this House. It sounds very innocent to me that the Head of State should extend an olive branch to all those who have divergent views, probably far from his own. Going by the fact that we chose, by ourselves, a political dispensation of multi-party politics, it was good that the President asked for help. He indicated that part of the reason he was seeking to work with Opposition Members of Parliament was that his current team might be …
Hon. Opposition Member: incompetent.
Mr Nkombo: … short in some specialisations, intellect and …
Mr Speaker: Order!
Please, do not put words in the mouth of the hon. Member on the Floor. Give him an opportunity to debate.
Mr Nkombo: … expertise. Having said that, I would like to concur with the Head of State, in no uncertain terms that, indeed, his observation was right.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Laughter
Mr Nkombo: However, it is important for me to put on it on record that, whilst recognising this invitation by the Head of State, for as long as his Government remains intolerant, draconian and a stumbling block to the enjoyment of human rights and freedoms, I would like to humbly tell the Head of State to count me out. He should count me out of this invitation to work with him for as long as there are dictatorial tendencies, such as the infringement of the basic and fundamental human rights enshrined in the Constitution under Article 21, which promulgates the freedoms of movement, association and conscience.
Mr Speaker, to support my debate, I have, with me, here, a letter that was written by agents of this Government, the Zambia Police, which categorically refused the United Party for National Development (UPND) the right to hold public meetings, a breach of the Constitution supported by the Cabinet on your right. I will not read the letter, but I think that it is a total disrespect for the rule of law.
Mr Speaker, it did not only go as far as that. My decline to work with the PF Government is also exacerbated by the fact that, even in the presence of a court order to permit people to assemble, they called this document from the court ‘just another piece of paper’. For that reason, I decline to work with the PF, unless its members change for the better.
Mr Mwaliteta interjected.
Mr Nkombo: Shut up, Mwaliteta.
Mr Speaker: Order!
Can we stop those running comments on my right.
Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, …
Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, wait for just a moment.
Let us stop the running comments. They are totally unnecessary and audible. I can associate the voices with the speakers.
Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, it is generally …
Mr Speaker: Hon. Member, just a moment.
Let us resist. I know that some forms of debate may provoke certain emotions, but we must practise tolerance. Let the hon. Member debate, however incisive the debate and scathing the criticism. He is entitled to debate. Let us not waste time prompting the Speaker to intervene. We should make progress. I am sure there are many others who would like to speak. I hope I will not repeat myself on this issue.
Similarly, Hon. Nkombo, even in light of such running commentaries, I do not think that you should be tempted to respond and retort. I do not equally think that is in order. You should, similarly, exercise restraint. I hope that the rest of the House is taking note of the sentiments that I am expressing. I would like us to make smooth progress. We have many days ahead of us to debate this particular speech. We started off on a difficult note, but I am assured that it is now history and would like everybody to debate as freely as possible.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, I also want to put it on record that I regret having mentioned the name of an hon. Member of Parliament. It is normally not in my style to interject when other people speak. The Bible tells us to do unto others as we wish them to do unto us.
Hon. Member: Hear, hear!
Mr Nkombo: It is true, Sir, that the draconian nature of Patriotic Front (PF) governance has transcended from the political battlefield into churches, where they hire people to beat and assault other human beings because they hold a different political opinion.
Hon. Opposition Members: Shame!
Mr Nkombo: That, to me, is reason enough to categorically say ‘no’ to working with the PF. There is a need for all of us to change our attitudes and accommodate one another because this is the political dispensation that we chose for ourselves. If the PF wants a one-party State, let it bring a Motion to the House so that we debate it. We will gladly go back because we once lived under such a dispensation.
Mr Speaker, it is tiring to live under a trial-and-error system followed by the PF Government in their policy formulation. Yes, the Head of State dictated to the House how it is within his power to protect hon. Members of Parliament. In this transcript, Mr Sata said that he had a duty to protect hon. Members of Parliament and that this is the reason he cannot interfere with the Public Order Act and that it was not even the United National Independence Party (UNIP), the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD) or the PF that brought it to the House. However, there is an element of abuse of that Act under the PF Government and it is glaring in our faces. What is good for the goose is good for the gander. This happened to the PF when it was on this side of the House.
Hon. Opposition Member: Hear, hear!
Mr Nkombo: Now, like naughty little children, they want to repeat exactly what the other people did and lost power. These hon. ladies and gentlemen are helping themselves to quickly come out of power in 2016.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Nkombo: The Head of State warned hon. Members of Parliament that, if they did not do the right thing, they would be one-term hon. Members of Parliament. I want to echo the same to the PF Government and the hon. Minister of Home Affairs. If they continue on this path, they will be a one-term Government, …
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Nkombo: … and they should not be surprised because people are watching. They can gag people and try to subdue the truth, but it eventually comes out. You cannot stop us from assembling because that is a violation. I am glad that the hon. Minister of Home Affairs is a learned counsel, a lawyer who has lived most of his life in the corridors of the courts. To imagine that he is a steward of people blocking others from exercising their fundamental human rights is unbelievable. I want him to acquit himself when the time comes for the Government to respond to our very important concerns.
We have accepted that Mr Sata is the President. He is my President. I stood before you and swore an oath of allegiance. However, I did not swear an oath to be abused by fellow human beings.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, I did not swear to be abused, and my fundamental human rights to be trampled on. Let me demonstrate that what I am saying is true. Where is the hon. Minister of Home Affairs? They decided to curtail the length and breadth of waves for UNZA Radio because they thought that its operations were inimical to the Government. That is what they thought. They did not stop there. They fired an honourable gentleman called Clayson Hamasaka simply because he wanted to entertain a political Opposition leader at the Evelyn Hone College of Arts and Commerce’s radio station.
Hon. Opposition Members: Shame!
Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, they did not stop there. They went to Lusaka Water and Sewerage Company and fired his wife.
Hon. Opposition Members: Shame!
Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, yesterday, we debated the issue of having parted company with employees from the public media. The junior hon. Minister of Information and Broadcasting, who is holding his head, demonstrated with pain, how they separated. There should be no political connotation regarding the way people are released from their employment. This country is for everyone. It shall remain so for a long time to come. I want to stand here and be on record saying that there shall be no intimidation. We will be ready to work with the PF as long as they come back to the right frame of mind because paranoia is a very dangerous state of mind. Its seems that they are scared of the unknown.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, we are colleagues. If what we shall disseminate to the public is not illegal, they should not stop us. If we are simply going to push our agenda and interests to the public, why should you stop us? Who told them that this is their mothers’ country? It is not. I say that they have brought violence to the synagogues, temples and churches. I am restrained from mentioning names. At two notable funerals, I clearly remember what the Head of State said. At the first funeral, he is on record of having told the Inspector-General of Police that: “Go outside and sort them out.”
Hon. Opposition Members: Shame!
Mr Nkombo: How do you work with someone who dreams of sorting you out? It is difficult.
Mr Speaker, before I get to the other speech, my final point is that the three Church mother bodies represented by Reverend Suzan Matale, Reverend Pukuta Mwanza and Father Cleopas Lungu, yesterday, disseminated a document to condemn violence especially that which was being perpetuated at the State funeral we have. This is in the interest of everyone in this country. I want to know the reason the Zambia Daily Mail and the Times of Zambia which are my papers, have failed to produce those statements that are reconciliatory. The three Church mother bodies decided to make their feelings known and to demonstrate the danger and pace at which the PF Government is running. You can cheat people sometimes, but not all the time. You can dupe people sometimes, but not all the time. The truth is going to catch up with our colleagues at some point.
Mr Speaker, I now come to the two speeches. I want to talk about the development agenda. Mr Sata in 2011, gave us a very flamboyant speech. In that address, he indicated on page 9 that:
“The Patriotic Front Government recognises that achieving these goals and putting the country on a path for sustainable growth will require a well- planned development agenda.”
He listed four core programmes. On education, he said that there would be compulsory education from grade one to secondary school. That is what he said. I expected to get a progress report this year on how far they have gone regarding this. They have not given us any report. According to my marking, that is zero marks.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, in the same address, His Excellency President Sata indicated to the hon. Minister of Education, Science, Vocational Training and Early Education that Chalimbana University Project must be completed within eighteen months. In the debate that we are looking at today, Mr Sata said that work is about to commence on Chalimbana University and Lubwa. We have six months remaining, hon. Minister, to arrive at the completion of Chalimbana …
Hon. Opposition Member: It is don’t kubeba.
Interruptions
Mr Speaker: Order!
Hon. Members, let us give the hon. Member opportunity to debate.
Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, we have six months within which the Chalimbana University Project must be completed. What progress has been made? According to the rating of Saint Garry Nkombo, that is zero marks.
Laughter
Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, let me quote from the President’s Address in 2011, regarding health. On page 14, he said:
“Good health of our citizens is a vital pre-condition for national development. Our health service delivery system is presently characterised by insufficient provision of health care due to inadequate, overworked, poorly remunerated and demotivated human resources, shortages of essential drugs, dilapidated health infrastructure, including a lack of staff accommodation among others.”
To date, they have not reported the progress regarding what they called a distorted state of affairs. According to my rating, there progress can get zero marks.
Mr Speaker, on Friday, the President said 650 health posts are about to be constructed. They first mentioned these 650 health posts in the first week of their Government. They have not given us the progression rate on how many health posts they have constructed this far. Have they done one, two, three or four health posts? According to my rating, there progress is zero marks.
Interruptions
Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, on agriculture, the Head of State said that there had been too much emphasis on maize production by the former Government. He promised that under the PF, the Government was going to ensure that only crops best suited to the environment in a particular province would be grown there. What progress has been made? I would give them zero marks. Today, they have simply said that they are going to broaden the beneficiary base from the current figure to 900,000 farmers as well as include rice in the package given to the farmers.
Hon. Opposition Member: Bapaseko one.
Laughter
Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, still on agriculture, the President spoke about irrigation. As it is often said once beaten, twice shy, I was in this Parliament when the late President Mwanawasa came to discuss winter maize and irrigation. May his soul rest in peace. We should learn from history that irrigation requires a lot of energy, ladies and gentlemen. Under the current dispensation, we are grappling with the shortage of energy. That is why there is load shedding every day. The cost of producing anything under irrigation will, obviously, make the price of that commodity more expensive than it is now. The introduction of the minimum wage has led to the prices of food and rentals going up. In the process, some people have even lost their jobs since employers cannot afford to pay the minimum wage. This is not sustainable. We need to, first, go to the basics and make sure that there is enough energy in the country. Where will you find energy to irrigate 17, 000 hectares. Let us stop dreaming.
Hon. Opposition Members: Rating!
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Nkombo: On local government, the Head of State indicated that he was moving the Road Development Agency (RDA) to State House. This is a move which we, from this side, believe is illegal. It does not conform to decentralisation, which he talked about. Such actions are not consistent with decentralisation, but instead represent centralisation.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Nkombo: Yes, we wanted many districts. He can make even a thousand districts if he wants. Just today, the hon. Member of Parliament for Monze Central, Mr Mwiimbu, indicated that there has to be some logic in certain movements.
Mr Livune Plan!
Mr Nkombo: You cannot make a district under a tree without an office.
Mr Livune: Yes.
Mr Speaker: Order!
Hon. Member for Katombola, …
Laughter
Mr Speaker: … you seem to be struggling in restraining yourself. The majority are managing. Take a cue from the majority.
Can you proceed, Hon. Nkombo.
Laughter
Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, since I only have a minute, I will quickly summarise the rest of the stuff that I want to put across to you. Why is the PF celebrating the 750 Eurobond? There is no way you can have a Christmas party and Christmas carols on a borrowed chicken on Christmas day. You cannot. It is not feasible.
Laughter
Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, the Head of State also spoke about the Eurobond. In the Verbatim Report of the Speech, he said:
“There is a not very serious Opposition leader, Mr Sakala, whose Political Party I have forgotten, who condemned the 750 Eurobond. I forgave him. If it were 750 rats, he would have understood. He does not understand Eurobonds.”
Mr Speaker, this was from the Head of State. For me, that was too comical and beneath the decorum of this House to equate 750 rats to real money that has to be paid. I heard the hon. Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr Sampa, on television saying that part of the Eurobond was used to pay suppliers for stuff in the ministry. How?
Sir, if you want us to be bound together on this borrowing, this money has to be invested. We do not condemn people for borrowing. I think you should be involving us since the President said that you may be lacking …
Interruptions
Mr Nkombo: That is what he said. The reason for inviting us to work with you is that there may be some short-comings from among yourselves …
Mr Speaker: Order!
May you address the Chair.
Mr Mwiimbu: Give him more time!
Mr Nkombo: Mr Speaker, I rest my case.
I thank you, Sir.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Bwalya (Lupososhi): Mr Speaker, I thank you for giving me the opportunity to contribute to the Motion on the Floor on behalf of the people of Lupososhi Constituency in the Northern Province.
Sir, I have listened to colleagues debating on the same subject. First and foremost, allow me to congratulate Hon. Wynter Kabimba on his deserved nomination and, indeed, his joining us in this hon. House.
Hon. Opposition Members: Question!
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, it is, indeed, said that variety is the spice of life. When I entered the House this afternoon, I was amazed at how nice the House looked with the different people dressed differently. The fact that we are different people is what makes us react differently to the same issue.
Sir, it is true that politicians are blamed for certain things that they do not even have control over. A politician or a president of a particular country is often blamed for anything which happens by some people. Like I stated earlier, different people react to the same issues differently.
Hon. MMD Members: What is the point?
Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, the point is that leadership was, actually, depicted in the Speech that the President presented to this House.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, there are various leadership styles that support different circumstances. There is what is called change management and managing change. We have changed the management of this country. Therefore, we have to manage this particular change.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Bwalya: Sir, it is up to us to accept and learn that we have different management styles and that it is possible for people to present issues that relate to a particular organisation in a different way from us. Zambia has different people and I am glad that this Speech was presented in the manner it was.
Hon. Opposition Members: In what manner?
Mr Speaker: Order!
Hon. Member for Lupososhi, may you sit down.
Yesterday, I spent a great deal of time on this subject. I do not intend to dwell on it further. Let us debate issues. I hope that is sufficiently clear.
May you continue, please.
Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, thank you for your guidance. I will, indeed, debate from Page 15 and onwards, of the President’s Speech. I will try as much as possible to show how the PF Government will address the issues which affect our development.
Sir, the speech was based on our manifesto which we sold to the Zambian people. It is on the basis of that manifesto that we were given the mandate to preside over the affairs of this country for the period of five years.
Mr Speaker, allow me to quote what His Excellency the President said on page 15, paragraph 2 of the Speech. He said:
“Despite the favourable macro-economic conditions of the Zambian economy in the past one year, the country is still faced with a number of challenges, in particular, poverty levels remain high, especially, in rural areas.”
Sir, this is what a leader is expected to do. He accepts that there are certain things that are not right. He, at that point, is suppossed to show leadership in how best the issues can be addressed.
Sir, on page 16, paragraph 2, His Excellency the President further said that:
“My Government recognises the need to intensify efforts in closing the development gap between rural and urban areas, and create opportunities to achieve sustainable development through economic growth and diversification, social development and environmental protection.”
Mr Speaker, to achieve that particular pronouncement which eventually will form part of policy direction, His Excellency the President further stated that:
“In this regard, the Government will continue to maintain strong fiscal prudence to ensure that resources are used wisely.”
Sir, wisely does not include burying money underground.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Bwalya: It means utilising these resources in building the infrastructure. Today we can complain that this and that has not been done. The question that we should be asking ourselves, as a country, is: Where did the money that the Zambian people raised in the past ten or twenty-seven years of the UNIP and the MMD rule go? The Zambian people need to know that there is money that is not in circulation because of certain greedy and selfish people.
Mr Speaker, I think that it is important to read the exact words in the speech. The President said on page 17 of the speech that:
“Further, it will curtail non-priority expenditures to ensure that key programmes aimed at poverty reduction and employment creation are given due priority.”
Sir, that is leadership.
Once we reduce on unproductive workshops and expenditure on unnecessary travel, these moneys will be channeled and given to priority sectors such as infrastructure development.
Sir, allow me to take the House to page 20 of the Speech as regards the National Budget. His Excellency the President referred to the National Budget and I am sure that most of the issues have been raised in the green paper. Here, the President stated that focus should be put on reviewing the current tax system in order to enhance the Government’s revenue. He further went on to state that the Government will continue the process of widening the tax base by, among other measures, ensuring that there is tax compliance.
Mr Speaker, these are the directions, strategies and plans that the leader of this country is giving. We need to widen the tax base and ensure that we collect as much revenue as possible. The revenues collected must be channeled into investments which will eventually create jobs. Once that is done, the lives of the Zambian people will improve.
Sir, on page 23 of the President’s Speech, the President said that preparatory work for the transformation of some colleges into universities has already began and that actual construction is expected to commence during the course of this year at Lubwa, Chalimbana and Palabana.
Mr Speaker, apart from the era of Dr Kaunda who thought of the rural areas, this is the first time, after so many years of independence, that we have a leader who has realised that if we take the universities to the rural areas, that will not only bring education closer to the people of the rural areas, but also open up the rural areas.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr C. Bwalya: Mr Speaker, in so doing, not only will the rural areas open up, but the poverty levels in the rural areas will be reduced. It is true that when the road infrastructure, the education and the health sectors are revamped the rest of the issues will fall in place.
Sir, I would like to take the House to page 26, and not Katete or Chadiza.
Laughter
Mr Speaker: It is a figure of speech.
Laughter
Mr C. Bwalya: Mr Speaker, on Page 25 of the President’s Speech, the President talks about health. I will quote an excerpt from the Speech as I make my point. His Excellency the President said:
“On 27th January, 2012, Government launched the National Health Strategic Plan for the period 2011 to 2015. This strategy is aimed at addressing both non-communicable and communicable diseases.”
Sir, on page 26 His Excellency the President talks about constructing a cancer diseases hospital with a bed space of 220. It is quite measurable and is a good indicator. Anybody can come, pick up this document and conclude that the total of 220 can be measured properly.
Mr Speaker, this, clearly, states that the PF Government, together with the Republican President, is committed to ensuring that the Zambian people get the best health facilities.
Sir, page 46 of the President’s Speech refers to mining. Mining in this country has been confused for a long time because of certain policies that did not support and bring about wealth to this country.
His Excellency the President, talked about legal reforms so that the regulatory framework is put in place in order to make the mining sector flourish. That is what we need to see in a leader. Since 1991 when the mines were privatised, a lot of people lost their jobs and the mines have not been as vibrant as they used to be.
Mr Speaker, we, as the PF Government, are aware that we will go back to the Zambian people in 2016 and be able to point at a number of things that we will have performed and the number of jobs that we will have created. By the end of 2016, the Zambian people will agree with us.
Sir, on Page 49, His Excellency the President said that under the Link Zambia 8,000 Project, the Government will upgrade, at least, three major road projects in each of Zambia’s ten provinces over a five-year period. We must emphasise that these programmes are over a five-year period and because they are over a five year period we have to ensure that we raise enough funds to see this project succeed.
Mr Speaker, since UNIP left the Government, the MMD never thought of opening up the rural areas by way of putting up roads. Today, we are talking about setting up three major roads per province. This will facilitate trade, movement of the Zambian people and will ensure the creation of wealth. When the Zambian people create wealth, it will translate into more jobs. This is how the Government intends to open up the rural areas.
Mr Speaker, crop marketing has been an issue and much of this was discussed this morning. So, I will not waste much of my time on that. However, I will address the issue of energy.
Sir, it is important that we appreciate what is currently happening in the country. I would like to say that load shedding is regrettable and we are aware of that. However, what is being done by the Government to address that particular problem is what is important. His Excellency the President alluded to that fact in his Speech. On Page 53, his said, and I quote:
“In order to ensure reliability and quality of supply of electricity in our country, particularly in Northern, Muchinga, Luapula and the Eastern Province, my Government recently commissioned the construction of the 330 kilo volts Pensulo-Kasama transmission line and the 330 kilo volt Pensulo-Lusiwasi-Msoro-Chipata transmission line.”
This is what we require from a leader who knows that this country has issues that need to be addressed.
Sir, when we talk about getting the US $750 million Eurobond, we mean that we have to invest it. We are aware that we cannot be borrowing for consumption. The able Minister of Finance, Hon. Chikwanda, knows that consumption is not a basis for borrowing. We, as the Government, are doing everything possible to ensure that we serve the Zambian people based on the Constitution of the Republic of Zambia. We have a manifesto …
Mr Speaker: Order!
Business was suspended from 1815 hours until 1830 hours
[MR SPEAKER in the Chair]
Mr Bwalya: Mr Speaker, before business was suspended, I was saying that, indeed, a democratic leader builds consensus through participation.
Sir, in conclusion, I want to put on record that every Zambian has a freedom of choice. The previous speaker chose not to work with the Government and that is alright. He is exercising his right. We also know that, in fact, they even refused to work with us in the past. Therefore, it will not be new. The Zambian people must know that this is what freedom entails.
Mr Speaker, I also want to talk about the issue concerning the police and the ordinary citizens of Zambia. I do not understand how the Head of State will be able to know when I have conflicts with certain people. The police will only see you if you are attacking another person. Therefore, we should find a way of controlling some of these politicians who have a habit of fighting. As a country, we should stop hooliganism.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr C. Bwalya: Mr Speaker, we should try to work together because we only have one Zambia. I want this to be on record that as the PF and based on the speech that the President gave, we have extended a hand to ensure that we work together in harmony in order to develop this country. Apart from us, no other person will come and develop this country.
I thank you, Sir.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!{mospagebreak}
Mr J. Zimba (Chama North): Mr Speaker, I want to thank you for giving me this opportunity to debate the speech which was delivered by the President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata. I believe that the Zambian people have confidence in his leadership.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr J. Zimba: Mr Speaker, my debate will not be too long. I may be new in this House, but not in the governance system. When I was outside the House, I was able to observe how the Government should lead its people. I would like to outline a very important issue which was mentioned in the President’s Speech concerning good governance.
Mr Speaker, in his speech, the President talked about the issue of good governance. It was like he was in a joking mood, but he touched a lot of sensitive issues. I believe that development is at the centre of every government’s work. No one from outside can understand how I manage my home better than myself.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr J. Zimba: Sir, in order to ensure that my home is built on good governance, I will first try and put it in order.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr J. Zimba: Mr Speaker, when you divorce your wife, you are completely changing your home…
Laughter
Mr J. Zimba:… in order to accommodate the latest woman you are bringing in your home. When the PF took over power, there was change of the party and the Government. This meant that the new Government had to change the whole governance system. In the process, you will discover that some policies of the previous Government may be good enough to build on. Other issues may be obstacles to good governance. The Government must be able to identify areas that need to be changed.
Mr Speaker, I want to thank His Excellency, Mr Michael Chilufya Sata, for introducing good governance in this country. The first thing that the President did was to put the country in order. Hon. Members can agree with me that when you are trying to put things in order, you will get a lot of criticism from various circles in society. This is not a one- party State, but a democratic one. Some people who are being nominated by the President are from the Opposition. This becomes grievous to the other parties and they will talk about it. This is normal and acceptable in a democratic country. Nevertheless, the fact of the matter is that the President is putting the country in order.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr J. Zimba: I want to emphasise one very important point. When the PF came into power, there was a system in which the Civil Service, at times, would behave as if it was in a political environment. Every Civil Service that becomes politicised will not manage to implement the policies of a particular Government.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Mr J. Zimba: It will portray its system of ideology, as if it is also a policy maker. A Civil Service is an implementing agency. It implements policies made by all hon. Members here, whatever their party affiliations may be. There is a need to advocate for a formidable and credible Civil Service because it is not for the PF, the MMD or the UPND, but for all the people of Zambia. All of us must be interested in seeing to it that every Government in power puts people who are professional enough to understand the policies which are passed in this august House in high positions.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Mr J. Zimba: Mr Speaker, the tendency to put political cadres in positions of high responsibility can deter the effective implementation of policies. It is a very dangerous practice. If our President makes the mistake of putting cadres in high positions for the sake of satisfying them, it can deter the implementation of policies.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Mr J. Zimba: I thank the President because the people he has put in the Civil Service hierarchy are truly professional. If what I am talking about is a lie, every hon. Member of Parliament is at liberty to question me. I have not found a mere cadre holding a high position in the Civil Service. Let me make another point.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Speaker: Order!
Give the hon. Member a chance to debate uninterrupted.
Mr J. Zimba: Mr Speaker, let me bring to your attention another important issue that I have personally investigated because I always talk after carrying out an investigation so that, if anybody wants to argue with me, I would already have the facts on hand. I am a law maker, and I cannot make a law if I do not have facts about what is happening on the ground. If you visit the Civil Service, you would discover that it has been subjected to what I will call ‘real sanity.’ The word ‘sanity ’seems simple but, although I am not a professor, when I talk about sanity, I am referring to people who are positioned on a level of being alert to what the Government is doing. They are alert because they do not know who monitors them.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Mr J. Zimba: This is a very important issue. Go and investigate and you will find that the civil servants are not for the PF, MMD or UPND, but for everybody. I have personally talked to them, and enquired from them on how they looked at the current governance system. Some have told me that it is difficult to engage in any corrupt activities, such as creating any fake payment. I am a witness to some of the corruption that used to happen in the Civil Service.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Mr J. Zimba: When I was a civil servant, I would tell the Permanent Secretaries (PSs) that, just because they occupied those positions, it did not mean that they had the powers to over-rule people’s concerns. When people are appointed in the Civil Service, it means that the President has confidence in their ability to help those below them to implement the Government’s policies. Most of the PSs knew me as a young man who would interfere with their way of running the ministries.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Mr J. Zimba: There is no PS in the Civil Service, today, who would come out with vigour to start oppressing his subordinates.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Zimba: I agree that our President has an interest in implementing a good system of governance. Let me not dwell so much on this because I want to make another point.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Mr J. Zimba: Mr Speaker, the President, in his speech, talked about the need to uphold democratic principles. When I was in the Civil Service, I always tried to share with the people the implications of adopting a democratic dispensation. I told them that, in a democracy, one has the right to express his views, although those views need not be final. Let me remind certain circles, whether in this House or outside that, in a democracy, one has the freedom to talk without imposing their ideas on others. Every system has a way in which it is governed. Whether it is a one-party or multi-party democracy, there will always be a system that can over-rule all the other systems.
Mr Speaker, I heard the President say that he wanted to work with the Opposition. Some people may have misunderstood what this meant. When he stated that he wanted to work with the Opposition, this did not mean that he wanted to work with other parties, at the partisan level, but with all hon. Members of Parliament. I do not expect any hon. Member of Parliament to take development to a constituency if he is not ready to work with the Government. One can refuse to work with the party, but not with the Government. The people that we represent do not belong to one party, and we should not deny them the services they need for the sake of our partisan or personal interests. Every time I talk to my father, I always tell him that, even if he is wrong, I have the problem of how to challenge him because I do not have the kind of wisdom necessary to do so. I can challenge him because I went to school, but the difficult part is where to start from because he is my father and the one in authority.
Hon. Members: Hear, hear!
Mr J. Zimba: Mr Speaker, all of us here are hon. Members of Parliament and we should be ready to work with the Government.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr J. Zimba: When I was in the Civil Service, I never gave up on an argument no matter how heated. People would ask me if I knew who I was arguing with, but I would respond that it was not a matter of knowing the person one was talking to.
In every Government, we talk about the system, which belongs to the people, not the individuals, who are just there to serve the system. We are there to make sure that the systems are working. No hon. Member of Parliament must run away from making the system operate because doing this would only earn us one term in Government, as the President said.
Sometimes, he was talking as if he was telling a parable.
Laughter
Mr J. Zimba: Mr Speaker, if I am arrogant to the Government, for instance, no development will come to my area. If, however, development does come to my area, the Government will by-pass me as hon. Member of Parliament. If I am by-passed because of being argumentative, already, I am de-campaigned.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr J. Zimba: Why must I allow the Government to by-pass me when the people have confidence in me? I have to work with the Government. I have to challenge the Government. I should not run away from it. Your father is your father. Just wait for your time to also be a father. That time will come.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr J. Zimba: It is God who puts someone in a position and it is him who removes them. I always remind people that, when they are in power, it is God who put them there.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr J. Zimba: We, therefore, need to respect the governing system. In as much as we are at liberty to challenge the system, we are obligated to respect it. Running is not an answer. We cannot run away from the governing system. We are there to challenge, advise and encourage our Government. If it does not listen, it should not be our worry. Time will come. If people cannot fight, God will fight for them.
Hon. Government Members: Hear, hear!
Mr J. Zimba: Mr Speaker, I will give an example of the previous Government. At one point, I gave some members of the previous Government huge credit.
Mr Speaker, when a leader is inclined to hypocrisy, it tarnishes the image of the whole system. All of you here are my fathers. You taught me that one bad groundnut, eaten together with a thousand others, will spoil the rest as well. Not everything was bad in the previous system, but individual selfishness always brings antagonism within the camp.
Mr Speaker, as the PF Government …
Interruptions
Mr Speaker: Order!
The hon. Member’s time has elapsed.
Mr Mulusa (Solwezi Central): Mr Speaker, I thank you for this opportunity to contribute to the debate on the Motion this afternoon.
Mr Speaker, I must state, from the outset, that the President’s Speech missed out on the importance of the occasion. It missed out on the opportunity to rekindle the hope of the nation and bind it together.
Mr Speaker, the Government changed hands 365 days ago. The President, in his speech, needed to highlight the profoundness of our challenges, what the PF Government had done in the 365 days and the hope of what it would do in the next 365 days.
Mr Speaker, Zambians wanted to be reassured on their developmental expectations. People wanted to find out why, despite the PF being in Government for 365 days, there has been no change in their status. This country is rich, yet the people are poor. They wanted to find out the status of the 8 million Zambians, who make up 60 per cent of our population, who are in rural areas and have no jobs. They wanted to know what would happen to the 45 per cent of the population, which is below fifteen years.
Mr Speaker, I feel sorry for the President. He came here and told us that there were competence gaps in his Government. He then contradicted himself by dismissing excellent, experienced and dedicated Zambians. The latest dismissals are those of Mr Evans Chibiliti and Mr Teddy Mulonga, as Secretary to the Cabinet and Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet, respectively.
Mr Speaker, Mr Teddy Mulonga worked as Director-General of the Zambia National Tender Board. Not once has anyone asked him to go and answer to any corruption charges. We needed to keep people like that. Mr Evans Chibiliti is a man who brought competence and a good character to the Civil Service and did not deserve to be fired. The only reason he was fired is because he stuck to policies and procedures, which does not fit in well with the operations of the PF Government.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mulusa: If, therefore, there are competence gaps in the PF, why dismiss competent people?
Mr Speaker, the President was in a chair right where yours is when he admitted that the PF Government had no plan and would, instead, use the misplaced Vision 2030 and the outdated Sixth National Development Plan (SNDP). I call these two documents misplaced and outdated, respectively, because, when the Government of President Mwanawasa crafted them, assisted by the able men seated in front of me, it planned to take this nation to a status of middle income country by 2030. The lower form was achieved within five years. It means that the nation needed to review those plans and find ways of making this country have characteristics that are supposed to exist in a country that has a middle-income status. The President, however, says that these are the strategies that he will use.
Mr Speaker, the Vision 2030 was anchored on seven principles. Let me just dwell on these seven principles. The first one is gender responsive sustainable development; the second one is democracy; the third is respect for human rights; fourth is good traditional and family values; fifth is positive attitude towards work; sixth is peaceful co-existence; and seventh is private-public partnerships (PPPs).
Sir, allow me to make an observation on each of these principles and let me start with gender responsiveness.
Mr Speaker, there can be no gender responsiveness to sustainable development unless there are enough jobs and economic opportunities to go round.
On democracy, I wish to say that flourishing democracies attract development and not the other way round. Even China today, the country that has sprung to number two status economically is not a democracy. Japan is also not a democracy. Ba Mwila, you should know this. It is not a democracy at all.
Mr Mwila: Aah!
Mr Mulusa: Mr Speaker, there can never be good traditional and family values in a country where people are suffering and do not have jobs. Parents would even be the first ones to send their daughters onto the streets to do prostitution so that they can survive. So, you need to provide jobs first. Then, you can talk about sustenance of good traditional values.
Sir, there can never be positive attitude towards work where there are so few jobs and the few that are employed are treated like slaves.
Hon. Kambwili tried to deal with investors who mistreated Zambians. He had that part of the portfolio taken away from him. So, how do you expect Zambia to have positive attitude towards work when they are treated like slaves?
On the principle of peaceful co-existence, Hon. Gary Nkombo dwelt so much on that and he actually gave you a score of zero on that.
Laughter
Mr Mulusa: The seventh principle, Mr Speaker, is the only one left in the Vision 2030 which can bring us development. It talks about PPPs. It allows the Government, over and above public resources, to ride on the back of the abundance of private sector financing and also ride on the back of good cost and risk management capabilities of the private sector.
Now, I would like to advise the Government that even the road from Chingola to Kitwe, where you want to spend K600 billion, you do not need to do that.
Hon. Government Members: Question!
Interruptions
Mr Mulusa: Keep that money. What you do is to give out a tender for a concession. A concessionaire will do that job, collect the money and hand back that asset to the Government after twenty years. This is what all governments are doing.
Hon. Opposition Members: Yes!
Ms Kalima: They do not understand!
Mr Mulusa: Mr Speaker, I am not worried about the running commentaries because the President said there are no competencies on that side.
Laughter
Mr Mulusa: So, I do not expect that those that are commenting to understand the PPP concept.
Sir, you just need to drive from Durban to Lubumbashi. When you drive from Durban to Lubumbashi, you will realise that all the way from Durban to Beit Bridge, you will be paying because there are toll-gates. Those toll-gate charges go towards the repayment of the money that was spent to build that road. This is why I am saying that you should keep that K600 billion. Money is there, but people can build this road for you.
If you enter Zimbabwe, there is no infrastructure for tolling. There is just a drum with some receipt and a man with an AK-47 and they collect the money. Now, they have even started building toll-gates on some of their roads.
When you enter at Chirundu, this is the only country where you drive freely without paying a cent for the use of the road until you exit at Kasumbalesa. Apply your mind because ideas to develop this country abound. However, Mr President said there are no competencies, and we agree that we are going to help.
Nonetheless, I must appreciate that some of the motions that I have moved in the past, have actually been implemented. Thank you very much. On that score, I give you … how much?
Hon. Government Member: Ten out of ten!
Mr Mulusa: No, nine out of ten.
Laughter
Mr Mulusa: Mr Speaker, there were several expectations when the President delivered that speech. People wanted to find out when they were going to start getting jobs. The economy is growing at a very fast rate, but jobs are reducing and instances of poverty are increasing.
Sir, there have been so many incidences of child abuse and gender based violence in this country. According to the definition of the state of the nation address, it is an address where the President talks about the condition of the country and the laws that are likely to be passed in order to improve the welfare of all. Therefore, those that have suffered abuse wanted to hear something. For example, the people of Solwezi wanted to hear when the K8 billion which your Government collects everyday, will ever have even K1 billion in a week left in Solwezi?
Mr Speaker, there were many expectations. The UPND wanted to find out if their rights to assembly will be respected. Mr Hakainde Hichilema wanted to find out if at all he will be left alone when he states the truth that there is no plan. The President came here and confirmed that there was no plan.
Laughter
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
Mr Mulusa: Mr Speaker, the youths wanted to hear if the rate of job creation will march the rate at which they are graduating.
It was recently announced that the Ministry of Finance had released K278.1 billion to clear the outstanding arrears for the retirees. The civil servants, therefore, wanted to hear if at all this trend of the Government being the biggest culprit of failing to remit statutory deductions will stop, so that when they retire they do not go into a life of misery.
There were many other expectations, Mr Speaker, and I feel sorry for the PF Government. I am beginning to think that at the rate which the Government is failing, one day we will report to this Parliament and just find them gone. They would have run away.
Laughter
Ms Kalima: Hear, hear! It is possible!
Mr Mulusa: They will not wait to go through what the long Parliament in 1652 in London went through. Mr Oliver Cromwell told the long Parliament that:
“You have sat here for too long without any good. In the name of the people, depart I say.”
Those are the words of Oliver Cromwell when he dismissed the long Parliament.
Laughter
Mr Mulusa: History has a tendency of repeating itself. Prime Minister Chamberlain’s Government in London in 1940 was also dismissed in a similar manner. People are becoming impatient. Therefore, I urge the PF Government not to just ride on the back of the MMD mistakes. You spent ten years in opposition without crafting a plan. You still have the time to craft a plan.
Mr Speaker, in conclusion, I wish to state most of the wrong things that are happening in the Government and in society show that we are a society against ourselves. We are not serving our own interests and it is only us who can save ourselves from ourselves.
I thank you, Mr Speaker.
Hon. Opposition Members: Hear, hear!
ADJOURNMENT
His Honour the Vice-President (Dr Scott): Mr Speaker, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn.
Question put and agreed to
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The House adjourned at 1911 hours until 0900 hours on Friday, 28th September, 2012.
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